Negotiating Funeral Costs: How to Save Money on End-of-Life Expenses

The exorbitant cost of funerals can make the painful emotional period of losing a loved one much more difficult. The National Funeral Directors Association estimates that the average funeral expense in the United States is roughly $7,600 (excluding cemetery fees and other costs). Funeral expenses can, however, be negotiated in order to reduce expenditures without compromising the caliber of the service or the respect of the deceased.

To start with, it’s critical to understand your legal consumer rights. Funeral homes are required to issue a General Price List (GPL) that details the prices of their services and goods under the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule. By doing so, you can compare rates and select only the goods and services that you require and want. You can save money if you ask for a casket or urn from an outside vendor, which funeral houses are required to do.

Second, take into account choices that can reduce the price of a funeral. For instance, a typical funeral service may cost less than a straight cremation or a burial without embalming. You can choose to hold the funeral somewhere other than the funeral home, like a church or community center, or you can choose a straightforward coffin or urn.

Thirdly, don’t be reluctant to bargain. If you are able to pay in full up front, funeral homes may be ready to give discounts or payment arrangements. Additionally, you can inquire about multi-service packages or haggle over the cost of particular goods and services.

Let’s now address the pertinent queries. An estimated 60% of Americans are embalmed before being buried or burned, according to estimates. Even though embalming is not required by law, certain funeral homes may still suggest it for aesthetic reasons or to postpone decomposition if specific conditions apply (such as when the body is being transferred across state borders).

The common response to the question of whether a mortician removes organs is no. Any organs that aren’t donated are normally left intact and donated before the body is taken to the funeral home. The role of the mortician is to prepare the body for burial or cremation, which may include dressing, washing, and (if necessary) applying makeup.

The role that each plays in the process of death is the primary distinction between a mortician and a coroner, to sum up. A mortician, usually referred to as a funeral director, is in charge of organizing the funeral service and preparing the body for burial or cremation. On the other hand, a coroner is a government official who looks into the cause of death (especially in situations when a death is unexpected or suspicious) and may carry out autopsies or other types of medical investigations.