Funerals can cost from $7,000 to $20,000 in the US. Your actual expenses will directly depend on your choices. Caskets and urns, for instance, can have a difference from several hundred dollars to over $10,000. In both cases, you need to consider the cost of shipping and handling. The services of a funeral director and their staff come at extra costs. They take care of legal aspects such as permits, documents, certificates, etc.
The cost of a casket
Often the most expensive items in a funeral, a casket can cost you an average of $2,000. The price depends on the cost of the material, style, and the complexity of the work. You can also spend $10,000 or even more on a casket made of more expensive material.
Average prices of a headstone
It’s not mandatory for you to buy the headstone from a funeral home or the cemetery. You have the right to find the most convenient supplier and make a purchasing decision on your own. Cemeteries usually have the most expensive headstones. Consequently, the general recommendation here is to shop around. However, you need to comply with a cemetery’s rules, for instance, about how they set the foundation. You should also know that delivery and installation are charged separately, and there is limited space for a quote. Getting the right headstone takes some preparation and organizing.
How much you will pay for a burial plot
If we are talking about burial plots for caskets, they come at a price between $530 and $5,000, depending on the space, the cemetery, and your location. In comparison, a plot for an urn will cost you between $350 and $2,500, taking into account the same primary factors. Make sure you don’t forget about the transportation cost.
Cremation expenses
The cost of cremation will be much lower than expenses for burial. Besides, the average values depend on the type of service you get, ranging between $1,000 and $8,000. The cost for the cremation per se is much lower, getting much higher due to fees the funeral home will charge you.
Takeaway: When planning a funeral, start crunching the numbers from the most expensive items. Research of updated prices will give you a better idea about how much money you will have to spend. If it’s your own funeral that you are budgeting, checking the prices regularly will help you keep your expenses under control.