Let eziFunerals save you thousands of dollars on funeral costs

In the past, information about planning and organising a funeral was difficult to find, leaving people frustrated, helpless and alone. However, more and more people are now using eziFunerals as the ‘go to funeral site’ to get FREE, independent, trustworthy and objective information.

Although , it may be emotionally difficult for you to ‘shop around’ for funeral services, it makes sense that you should use the same techniques you use with any other major purchase. Consumer surveys show that most people don’t shop around for a funeral — they pick the funeral company closest to them, or the one their family has always used. Neither of these criteria tells you whether you’re getting a good value. That’s where eziFunerals can help.

Common Funeral ‘Cost’ Items explained

Our research has found that the price difference between an Independent Funeral Home and a corporate brand (owned by Invocare or Propel Funeral Partners) can fluctuate wildly, and vary from thousands of dollars. The corporate brands generally will try and sell you a ‘package’ so you face the risk of being overcharged for things you never asked for, don’t want or need. Remember that you may be charged for every service you agree to use. It is useful to do your research and use eziFunerals FREE service. Our independent member funeral homes, are here to help you before, during and after the funeral.

Below is a common list of items a funeral home may include in your funeral costs. The price charged for each item by funeral homes can vary significantly.

Burial clothes cost

It is important to some families that their loved one’s body be dressed in new clothes for the viewing, funeral and disposition. Some funeral homes offer special burial clothes designed for this unique wardrobe function. Complete outfits can be purchased including burial underwear and burial shoes.

Burial vault costs

In some countries, cemeteries require that caskets be buried in an outer container also known as a grave liner or burial vault. Burial vaults are big, heavy duty rectangular boxes typically made of concrete; some are made from metal (steel or bronze) and some from composite plastic. All are made to last forever. Most have at least 100 year guarantees. Burial vaults are an industrial strength casket for the casket.

Burial shroud cost

Burial shrouds have been around for thousands of years. Traditionally, they are a long length of fabric that is wrapped around the body. A number of companies are creating burial shrouds that are constructed to surround the body. These shrouds will often contain a series of fabric handles for three or four people to use to move the body.

Clergy/Celebrant fees

A clergy or celebrant officiates the funeral ceremony. A funeral is not a legally sanctioned ceremony and does not require any special qualifications for the person conducting the funeral. Clergy are ordained by a religious denomination whereas a celebrant might not have any religious affiliation but may have training on ceremony and how to prepare a eulogy. To plan and prepare for the service, clergy/celebrants often meet with the family a day or two before the ceremony. Sometimes the clergy/celebrant will present a eulogy based on interviews with the family and friends.

Death certificate fees

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (the ‘death certificate’) is an important legal document. The completion of a death certificate by a medical practitioner is a vital part of the notification process of a death to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the relevant state or territory. It enables an authority to be provided to the funeral director to arrange disposal of the body. Not all medical practitioners charge a fee for this certificate.

Embalming fees

Embalming involves draining a body of fluids and replacing them with a mix of chemicals such as formaldehyde, methanol, ethanol and other solvents to temporarily preserve the body for viewing.

Flower costs

There are two floral arrangements unique to funerals the casket spray and the standing easel display. A casket spray is a cascading assortment of flowers that rests on top of the casket. A standing easel display is an arrangement of flowers attached to a free standing easel. Often the easel flowers are arranged in a wreath or heart shape. The standing easel display is commonly set up next to the casket, urn or a tribute table. Urns are sometimes decorated with a small floral wreath or garland.

Funeral ashes

When ashes are scattered on water, sympathy wreaths, loose flowers and flower petals are often tossed onto the water’s surface. The price for flowers depends on the quality and quantity of flowers. Carnations and daisies cost less than roses.

Funeral ceremony fee

The funeral ceremony fee is the charge for coordinating and supervising the funeral arrangements and assisting with the ceremony. Most funeral homes charge the same amount for a funeral ceremony at their facility as they charge for a ceremony held elsewhere like at a church or other place of worship. Some funeral homes charge more for funerals held on a Saturday or Sunday.

Funeral printed program costs

Funeral homes often can order printed programs through an outside vendor or they can use their own copier to create the programs. High quality and affordable copiers have resulted in a number of small independent funeral program companies that operate over the internet. The price goes up with the quality and quantity of the printed materials. Many funeral homes also offer other printed materials such as prayer cards, bookmarks, acknowledgement cards, pallbearer cards and thank you cards.

Grave markers, monuments and headstones

Three names are used to describe the stone or metal sign used to indicate who is buried in a grave – grave markers, monument and headstones. There is inconsistency in what names describe what type of sign. Typically, grave markers lie flat on the ground and are made from granite or bronze. Typically, monuments are upright off the ground granite or marble statues often rectangle in shape. Cemeteries often sell markers, but you can also buy them online. There are additional fees associated with each marker – the engraving fee, delivery fee, foundation fee and installation fee. By the time the monument is in place you will likely have spent several thousands of dollars.

Grave plot costs

There is a huge range in prices for grave plots. Like all real estate the key to price is location, location, location. Often public cemeteries owned by the government are a little less expensive than private cemeteries.

Graveside service fees

A graveside service is a brief ceremony at the cemetery next to the place of burial. The funeral home coordinates the delivery of the casket to the cemetery and oversees the ceremony at the cemetery. The funeral home’s basic services fee is added to the cost of the graveside service. Additional fees may be incurred for a tent, chairs, Astroturf around the grave site and any other extras such as release of doves, musicians or a clergy/celebrant.

Grave site set up fees

Cemeteries and sometime funeral homes charge a fee for preparing the grave site with Astro Turf, folding chairs and other accessories for a gravesite service. Ask about this fee so you’re not surprised by an unexpected bill for several hundred dollars.

Guest register book costs

A guest register book is a special book for guests attending the viewing or funeral to sign their name and perhaps write a short condolence.

Hearse or funeral coach fees

The hearse is a special car used to transport the body to the cemetery and usually leads the funeral procession.

Limousine or lead vehicle fees

Family and close friends sometimes want to ride together from the ceremony site to the grave site in a chauffeured limousine. Limousines come in different sizes.

Musician fees

Soloists such as bagpipers, vocalists, and harpists typically charge by the hour but some may price by a flat fee or by the number of songs performed. Often musicians will include a travel fee. The more impressive the musician’s professional credentials the more they are likely to charge

Obituary costs

Some smaller local newspapers publish obituaries for free. Larger newspapers usually require a significant fee to publish an obituary or death notice. Most newspapers charge by length of the obituary and charge extra for a picture. Online obituaries are available from a number of websites. All of the major papers are affiliated with the Legacy.com web service. Most papers will publish newsworthy obituaries (deaths of public figures, prominent locals and celebrities) for free. Some newspapers publish death notices for free. Death notices are a limited number of lines and briefly announce the person’s birth and death dates, no biographical information or picture are included.

“Other preparations” fee – cosmetology, dressing, casketing, hairdressing

The funeral home staff prepares the body for viewing and visitation by applying makeup, dressing the body in clothes, placing the body into the casket and styling the body’s hair.

Storage and refrigeration fees – “custodial care” or “shelter of remains”

Some funeral homes have a daily charge for storing the body even if it is embalmed. Some funeral homes price this fee on a per day basis others price it as a lump sum amount for a set number of days.

Temporary burial markers

Temporary burial markers mark the location of the grave pending a permanent marker or headstone.

Transportation of the body to the funeral home fee – “removal” or “first call”

This is the funeral directors fee for picking up a body from a private residence or hospital and delivering it to the funeral home. The quoted fee is usually based on transporting the body no greater than 25 kilometres.

Ask what the removal fee is for a particular location. It can be more expensive to pick up a body from a private home because two staff members are necessary for this type of removal. After hours removals can also be more expensive.

Urns

Cremains (ashes) are not a biohazard and don’t require any special container. Most people choose to purchase a special container for the ashes called an urn. There are countless urns available to purchase online. Engraving is an option, to personalise the urn with a name, a date, a phrase of your choice, but this will be an additional charge.

Viewing or visitation fees – funeral home facility and staff fee

All funeral homes provide the family and friends the opportunity to see the body one last time before final disposition. The body may or may not be embalmed. The funeral home sets up the viewing and reception area with displays of floral arrangements provided by the family or friends.

The funeral home supervises the viewing and reception. Often funeral homes will charge more for viewings on the weekends – sometimes twice the weekday fee. Sometimes the family provides refreshments for guests who attend the visitation. The funeral home coordinates the food and beverages with a caterer or the family.

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