Bereavement is an inevitable part of life, and sooner or later, most of us will have to face the difficult decision of what to do with a deceased loved one. Of course, one common option is burial, but how much does it cost? And are there any cheaper alternatives?
The typical costs are between $7,000 and $12,000. This fee includes viewing, burial, ceremony, transportation, casket, embalming, and other preparations. The typical cost of a funeral that includes cremation is between $6,000 and $7,000. These fees do not include a cemetery, monument, or flowers.
Funerals can be expensive, but there are ways to keep the cost down. We will discuss the average funeral costs in the United States and some tips on saving money. We hope that this information will be helpful to you during this difficult time. Keep reading for all the details.
What Happens if Someone Dies and Has No Life Insurance?
When a person dies without life insurance, their family is left to deal with the financial stress. Although, this stress can be exhausting and stressful for everyone involved. Many family members may suddenly appear in the picture when a loved one dies even though the family members have been absent for many years. The stress will be much more complicated if there are children or other dependent parties in your loved ones’ lives who need support, too (like an ex-spouse). Life Insurance helps fill this void by providing them relief from worrying about money after losing one of its own – so don’t hesitate.
If they have to pick up your financial responsibilities without life insurance, you’ll be leaving them in a tough spot. The second most significant incentive to acquire life insurance is to cover your funeral and burial expenses, in addition to supporting your family financially. There are many unfortunate facts surrounding death, and one of them is that it’s an expensive process. The cost of burying someone can run up to $10,000 or more depending on the funeral or cemetery you choose. If you did not plan for this event when you were living, your family would need to pay these costs when they have enough on their plate already from grieving your loss.
What Happens When You Can’t Afford to Bury someone?
People who can’t afford the more expensive options will need to choose the cheapest one: incinerating their loved one’s ashes and leaving them to a funeral home. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to abandon the bodies of their relatives, especially if they feel that there will be no closure or finality with funerals. You can prevent this by planning.
When someone passes away, their loved ones are usually responsible for taking care of all the arrangements. Although it’s a sad occasion, there is so much to do when you lose a loved one, and ensuring they have an appropriate burial can take up most of your time. Therefore, when creating your plan for this event, ensure you set aside enough money to cover all expenses. Otherwise, you might find yourself in quite the pickle when it comes to paying off the debt at hand.
Burying people is not cheap by any means. That’s why families need to start putting money away for moments like these long before they happen. The world we live in is expensive enough as it is. Unfortunately, deciding how one can afford to bury their loved one often becomes a difficult task. Before you know it, the bills begin to add up, and before you even realize what’s happening, the cost of living is the last thing on your mind.
Does Insurance Cover Funeral Costs?
Many life insurance plans will offer a lump sum to the beneficiary of your choice when you die. It will cover the costs of your funeral or any other financial requirements for your survivors. The death benefit is paid quickly with burial insurance, and it does not require probate. Burial costs can add up, but there are many different ways to cut expenses. Knowing how much it will cost to plan a funeral for yourself or someone else can help you prepare and plan accordingly. The amount of money your loved ones may have to pay out-of-pocket depends on where your loved one will be buried. Also, whether they have a burial insurance policy, burial insurance is an excellent way to plan for expenses. Planning will save the family from the hassle of arranging a funeral and make sure at least some of those arrangements are taken care of ahead of time. However, if not, the cost will likely be covered by their estate after death as long as they’ve paid for their burial in advance. The cost of a funeral can be daunting, but knowing in advance what to expect can help you plan and find ways to keep costs down so that your family isn’t overwhelmed after your death.
Funeral Insurance Plans and Their Varieties
Standard Funeral Insurance
These are paid to beneficiaries when a loved one dies and can be used to pay for final arrangements, such as:
- Funeral home services
- Transportation
- The cost of a burial plot
- Casing and covering of the grave
- Prices for caskets
- Headstone, grave vault, floral arrangements
- Cremation
- The price of a funerary urn
The beneficiary may work with any providers they choose. The funds can be applied to other costs or obligations incurred by the departed, including:
- Legal services
- Medical expenses
- Credit card debt
- Loans for automobiles, personal items, or other purposes
Pre-need Funeral Insurance or Burial Insurance
Pre-need arrangements are a convenient and economical way to provide for your funeral expenses. The money goes directly from life insurance companies or sometimes even selected funeral homes to pay for a pre-arranged funeral. Your loved ones deserve to have their final arrangements with you in a package that is worth exactly what they paid and wanted.
What is the Cheapest Way to Bury Someone?
One option for those looking to bury someone on a budget would be to have the body cremated and buried in a cemetery. This option can be less expensive than traditional burial options, and it also allows loved ones to visit the gravesite.
The price of a burial plot varies depending on where you live. Areas with high concentrations of people tend to have higher prices for cemeteries. New Jersey, for example, has one of the highest costs in the United States, with an average cost of $13,000. However, Utah has the lowest price at about $3,900.
In addition to finding out how much it will cost to bury someone, you need to know what else is involved in this process. For instance, a traditional burial needs a coffin and headstone. Planning can prevent you from having trouble at a time when stress can be very high.
It’s essential to understand what you can afford and where to cut corners. The good thing is that there are many options, so you don’t have to break the bank just because someone died.
Who Pays for Funeral if No Money?
The final arrangements, which include transporting the body to the burial site and placing it in its coffin, are paid by the deceased’s estate. The executor of the estate must pay all outstanding debts. If there is no money available in the estate, those who sign the contract at a funeral home must pay for it. It would help if you were not responsible for paying any final expenses alone. Family members who can contribute may be able to do so. Reach out to see if there’s an excellent opportunity for you. Discuss the expected reasonable charges and inquire about what others can comfortably afford. It’s a good idea to make a budget and designate someone to monitor all incoming and outgoing money.
How Much Does it Cost to Cremate a Body?
Depending on cremation, the typical cremation cost ranges from $4,000 to $7,000. Although there are a few exceptions, the cost of cremation typically varies between $2,000 and $5,000. With the price of a funeral increasing, more people opt to have their remains cremated rather than buried. Though this may seem like an expense at first glance, when you consider all services expenses like plot purchases — the result can be saved in your pocket if done right. For individuals seeking to save money, direct cremation is an excellent alternative.
Families may also save more money by purchasing their urn and casket. Funeral homes in the US offer cremation packages. They generally include a memorial service, a viewing casket, and other goods. The price of a cremation package varies widely, depending on the funeral home and location. Still, it is usually between $2,000 and $10,000. The cremation rate is expected to reach 70% by 2030, according to the NFDA Cremation & Burial Report. As more clients choose cremation, costs will continue to rise.
Low-Cost Cremation
The most straightforward approach to paying for cremation is a low-cost cremation, also known as direct cremation. A direct cremation occurs when you order cremation and don’t need a funeral or memorial beforehand. After the cremation is complete, the loved ones receive the ashes. Direct cremation is by far the most cost-effective method of ultimate disposal.
The upfront cost of cremation varies, although it is likely to be between $2,000 and $5,000 based on your city of residence and the amount charged by the funeral home. In certain situations, you may be able to have your body cremated directly by a crematory rather than going through a funeral home, which can save you a lot of money. Families who want to hold a memorial service at a later date use this method of low-cost funerals since it allows them to do so. Planning a direct cremation entails the following freedoms:
- It is not necessary to purchase a casket from the funeral parlor.
- You aren’t obligated to buy an urn from the funeral home.
- Alternative containers must be made available by the funeral home or crematory.
- Once the cremation process has taken place, you’re responsible for picking up your loved one’s ashes and can choose where to store them. You are not required to use a mortuary home or another service provider except if you desire to.
- Some countries permit burials after the cremation, which means the ashes aren’t scattered. Cremated remains must be stored in an urn or other container until you’re ready to arrange a memorial service or plan to bury them. After that, they may be buried in a casket, placed in a columbarium niche, kept at home, or placed under a favorite tree.
Is it Better to be Cremated or Buried?
There is no clear answer regarding whether cremation or burial is a less harmful option. Cremation supporters point out that the materials used in most coffins aren’t biodegradable, and embalming fluid hurts the environment. It’s critical first to choose whether you want to be cremated or interred, as the expenses differ significantly depending on your decision. If you have a memorial service, you’ll want to decide on the following things right away. You’ll want to think about the cost of a headstone, coffin, and digging and closing the grave if you’re having a funeral or other burial. You’ll need an urn or some other device for cremation, as well as whether or not you’d want a memorial service.
Contact Service Providers for More Information
Once you’ve figured out what you want, it’s time to investigate and contact service providers who can assist you in achieving your goal. Whether you’re arranging your burials or following the instructions of a loved one who has recently died, talk to several funeral homes to obtain costs for everything you want.
Burial insurance can be a wonderful benefit for the family of someone who has passed. The company that issued your loved one’s burial or funeral policy will help you understand what benefits are available and how to claim the benefits, so reach out today!
