A funeral is an expensive event, especially if you choose not to be cremated, so it is important that you start planning and saving early on.
Funerals are not cheap-in fact, the average funeral can cost over $10,000. That’s a lot of money to spend on something that you’re never going to use again! But what’s more shocking is how much of this goes towards just one thing: the coffin. In fact, an average casket costs about $6,500 for a wood casket and nearly double for an urn or bronze casket. And if you want to be buried in a fancy brand new hearse? You’ll be looking at another $3-$4k. The other expenses may seem like chump change by comparison but they can add up too…
For example, flowers for the funeral can cost anywhere from $100 to over $1000. The difference depends on how elaborate you want it to be-a simple bouquet shouldn’t cost much more than $100 while an elaborate wreath could run as high as $1000. Burial plots or headstones can also add up quickly-you don’t have to buy either, but they will add to the cost if you do decide you want them in the end.
The cost of a funeral can really add up. Luckily, there are ways to cut down on the costs by considering different options or using less expensive services for things like flowers and headstones. The key is to plan ahead!
Funeral Wise has a great free tool for planning and budgeting your service. Check it out here.
