10 Commonly Overlooked Funeral Expenses You Need to Know About
When planning a funeral, it’s easy to focus on the major expenses like the casket and the service itself. However, many families are surprised by a number of smaller, often-forgotten fees that can quickly add up and cause stress.
10 Overlooked Funeral Expenses You Should Know About
Planning a funeral is an emotionally challenging and often overwhelming task. While most people anticipate major costs like the casket, funeral home services, and the cemetery plot, numerous smaller expenses can quickly add up, leading to unexpected financial strain. Being aware of these often-overlooked costs can help families prepare more effectively and make informed decisions during a difficult time. Here are 10 common funeral expenses that people frequently forget to factor into their budget.
1. Death Certificate Fees
A death certificate is an essential legal document required for numerous administrative tasks, such as closing bank accounts, claiming life insurance benefits, and settling the deceased's estate. While the funeral director often handles the process of obtaining them, the certificates themselves are not free. The cost per certified copy varies significantly by state and even by county, typically ranging from $10 to $30 each.
Families often underestimate how many copies they will need. Financial institutions, government agencies, and insurance companies each require their own official, certified copy. It’s common to need 5 to 10 copies, and this seemingly small expense can easily amount to over a hundred dollars. It's wise to request more copies than you think you'll need upfront, as ordering them later can be more complicated and sometimes more expensive.
2. Obituary Placement Costs
An obituary serves as a public announcement of death and often includes a brief biography and details about the funeral service. While writing the obituary itself is free, publishing it in a newspaper or online is not. The cost can be surprisingly high, depending on the publication's circulation, the length of the obituary, and whether a photograph is included. A simple notice in a local paper might cost a few hundred dollars, while an extensive tribute in a major metropolitan newspaper could run over a thousand.
Many people assume this is a nominal fee, but it's a significant line item. Some funeral homes offer to place the obituary for you, but this cost is passed directly to the family, often with a small administrative fee attached. It’s important to ask for a price quote from the publication before submitting the text to avoid a shocking bill later.
3. Grave Opening and Closing Fees
Purchasing a cemetery plot is just the first step; the physical act of preparing the grave for burial is a separate and substantial expense. Known as "opening and closing" fees, this charge covers the labor and equipment required to dig the grave, place the casket, and then fill the grave back in. This is a mandatory service provided by the cemetery and can be one of the most significant third-party costs associated with a burial.
These fees can range from $1,000 to over $3,000, and they are often higher for weekends, holidays, or burials that require special equipment. This cost is separate from the price of the plot and the grave marker. Many families are caught off guard by this charge because they assume it's included in the purchase price of the cemetery plot, but it is almost always billed separately.
4. Cemetery Plot Maintenance or Perpetual Care
When you buy a cemetery plot, you are often required to pay into a perpetual care or endowment care fund. This is a one-time fee intended to cover the long-term maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery grounds, including landscaping, mowing, and general repairs. This ensures the cemetery remains a well-maintained and respectful place for visitors for decades to come.
This fee can add anywhere from several hundred to a few thousand dollars to the overall cost of the burial plot. It's typically calculated as a percentage of the plot's price. While this fee provides peace of mind that the gravesite will be cared for, it's an upfront cost that many people don't anticipate when initially shopping for a plot.
5. Hairstyling and Cosmetics for the Deceased
For viewings or open-casket funerals, preparing the deceased's appearance is a key service. While basic preparation is often included in the funeral home's package, specialized cosmetology and hairstyling services may come at an additional cost. If the family wants a specific hairstyle or requests services from a professional hairdresser who specializes in mortuary services, this will be an extra charge.
This service is crucial for helping the deceased look peaceful and natural, providing comfort to grieving family and friends. However, it's an a la carte service that is easy to overlook when reviewing the general price list. It’s always best to clarify what level of preparation is included in the standard fee and what constitutes an add-on.
6. Gratuities and Honorariums
Many people who contribute to the funeral service do so with the expectation of an honorarium or tip. This includes the officiant or clergy member who leads the service, musicians such as an organist or soloist, and pallbearers if they are not family members. These payments are a way of showing gratitude for their time and service during a difficult period.
These honorariums can range from $50 for a musician to several hundred dollars for an officiant. While some religious institutions have set fees, others leave it to the family's discretion. These costs are rarely included in the funeral home's bill (unless paid as a "cash advance" item), so families need to budget for them separately and have cash or checks ready on the day of the service.
7. Stationery and Printing Costs
Printed materials are a traditional part of many funeral services. This includes funeral programs or orders of service, prayer cards, a guest register book, and thank-you cards to be sent out after the funeral. While a basic guest book might be included in a funeral package, custom-designed programs and high-quality stationery are almost always an additional expense.
The cost can vary widely based on the complexity of the design, the quality of the paper, the use of color photos, and the number of copies needed. These expenses can easily add up to several hundred dollars. Families often don't think about these details until the last minute, but they are an important part of personalizing the service and should be factored into the budget.
8. Funeral Escort Services
For families planning a funeral procession from the funeral home or place of worship to the cemetery, a police or private escort service is often necessary to ensure safety and manage traffic. This service helps keep the line of cars together and ensures the procession can proceed through intersections without interruption. This is particularly important in busy urban or suburban areas.
The cost for a funeral escort is typically billed on an hourly basis and can be quite expensive, often ranging from $200 to $600 or more, depending on the distance and the number of officers or vehicles required. This is a third-party cost that the funeral director arranges, and it is a crucial safety measure that is often forgotten during initial budget discussions.
9. Flowers and Decorations
While friends and family often send flowers, the primary floral arrangements for the service—such as the casket spray, standing sprays, and arrangements for the altar or viewing room—are typically purchased by the immediate family. The cost of funeral flowers can be substantial, with a single casket spray often costing several hundred dollars.
Beyond flowers, families may also want to rent special lighting, display stands for photographs, or other decorative items to personalize the space. These costs, while optional, contribute to the overall atmosphere of the service but are not included in the funeral home's basic fees. It's important to set a clear budget for floral arrangements and decorations to prevent costs from escalating.
10. Catering for the Reception or Repast
Following the funeral service, many families choose to host a reception, luncheon, or repast for attendees. This gathering provides a more informal setting for friends and family to share memories and support one another. However, the cost of catering this event is a significant expense that is completely separate from the funeral home's charges.
Whether held at a private home, a restaurant, or a rented hall, the cost of food, drinks, and venue rental can quickly add up to thousands of dollars, depending on the number of guests. Because it's planned separately from the funeral itself, families sometimes forget to include this major expense in their overall funeral budget, leading to financial pressure after the fact.
Why Are Funeral Costs So Complex?
The complexity of funeral pricing often contributes to why so many costs are overlooked. One major reason is the mix of services and goods offered. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's "Funeral Rule" requires funeral providers to give you an itemized price list, known as a General Price List (GPL), before you discuss any arrangements. This allows you to choose only the goods and services you want. However, many funeral homes also offer packages, which can bundle services at a slight discount but may also include items you don't necessarily need.
Another layer of complexity comes from "cash advance" items. These are fees the funeral home pays on your behalf to a third party. Common examples include the costs for death certificates, clergy honorariums, obituary notices, and flowers. The funeral home does not profit from these items; they simply pass the cost directly to the family. Because these fees are not set by the funeral home, they add variability to the final bill and can be difficult to estimate accurately without making several phone calls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Planning
What is the difference between a funeral home's basic services fee and other charges?
The basic services fee is a non-declinable charge that every customer pays. It covers the funeral home's overhead, such as the labor of the funeral director and staff, securing necessary permits, coordinating with the cemetery or crematory, and general administrative tasks. Think of it as the foundational cost for engaging the funeral home's services. It is the only fee that you cannot refuse to pay.
All other charges are for specific, selectable goods and services. This includes the cost of the casket or urn, embalming, use of the facilities for a viewing or service, transportation of the deceased, and printed materials. The General Price List (GPL) will clearly separate the basic services fee from these other itemized costs, allowing you to control the total expense by selecting only what you need.
How can you save money on funeral expenses?
There are several practical ways to manage and reduce funeral costs without sacrificing a dignified service. The most effective method is to compare prices. The Funeral Rule gives you the right to receive a GPL from any funeral home you ask, and you can do this over the phone. Comparing the GPLs of at least two or three providers in your area can reveal significant price differences for the same services.
Another major way to save is by considering cremation, which is often less expensive than a traditional burial. You can also save by choosing a more modest casket or urn, as these items vary dramatically in price. Finally, consider the service location. Holding a memorial service at a place of worship, a community center, or even a park can be much less expensive than using the funeral home's chapel for the service.
Conclusion
Navigating the costs associated with a funeral can be a daunting part of an already emotional journey. By understanding the full spectrum of potential expenses, including commonly overlooked items like death certificate fees, obituary placements, and grave opening costs, families can plan more effectively. This awareness allows for better budgeting, reduces the likelihood of unexpected financial burdens, and empowers you to make clearer decisions that honor your loved one in a way that is both meaningful and manageable.