Funerals: A Consumer Guide
When a loved one dies, grieving
family members and friends often are confronted with
dozens of decisions about the funeral - all of which
must be made quickly and often under great emotional
duress. What kind of funeral should it be? What funeral
provider should you use? Should you bury or cremate
the body, or donate it to science? What are you legally
required to buy? What other arrangements should you
plan? And, as callous as it may sound, how much is it
all going to cost?
Each year, Americans grapple with
these and many other questions as they spend billions
of dollars arranging more than 2 million funerals for
family members and friends. The increasing trend toward
pre-need planning - when people make funeral arrangements
in advance - suggests that many consumers want to compare
prices and services so that ultimately, the funeral
reflects a wise and well-informed purchasing decision,
as well as a meaningful one.
A Consumer Product
Funerals rank among the most expensive
purchases many consumers will ever make. A traditional
funeral, including a casket and vault, costs about $6,000,
although "extras" like flowers, obituary notices,
acknowledgment cards or limousines can add thousands
of dollars to the bottom line. Many funerals run well
over $10,000.
Yet even if you're the kind of person
who might haggle with a dozen dealers to get the best
price on a new car, you're likely to feel uncomfortable
comparing prices or negotiating over the details and
cost of a funeral, pre-need or at need. Compounding
this discomfort is the fact that some people "overspend"
on a funeral or burial because they think of it as a
reflection of their feelings for the deceased.
Pre-Need
To help relieve their families of
some of these decisions, an increasing number of people
are planning their own funerals, designating their funeral
preferences, and sometimes even paying for them in advance.
They see funeral planning as an extension of will and
estate planning.
Planning
Thinking ahead can help you make informed and thoughtful
decisions about funeral arrangements. It allows you
to choose the specific items you want and need and compare
the prices offered by several funeral providers. It
also spares your survivors the stress of making these
decisions under the pressure of time and strong emotions.
You can make arrangements directly
with a funeral establishment or through a funeral planning
or memorial society - a nonprofit organization that
provides information about funerals and disposition
but doesn't offer funeral services. If you choose to
contact such a group, recognize that while some funeral
homes may include the word "society" in their
names, they are not nonprofit organizations.
One other important consideration
when planning a funeral pre-need is where the remains
will be buried, entombed or scattered. In the short
time between the death and burial of a loved one, many
family members find themselves rushing to buy a cemetery
plot or grave - often without careful thought or a personal
visit to the site. That's why it's in the family's best
interest to buy cemetery plots before you need them.
You may wish to make decisions about
your arrangements in advance, but not pay for them in
advance. Keep in mind that over time, prices may go
up and businesses may close or change ownership. However,
in some areas with increased competition, prices may
go down over time. It's a good idea to review and revise
your decisions every few years, and to make sure your
family is aware of your wishes.
It's
a good idea
to review and revise
your decision
every few years. |
Put your preferences in writing, give
copies to family members and your attorney, and keep
a copy in a handy place. Don't designate your preferences
in your will, because a will often is not found or read
until after the funeral. And avoid putting the only
copy of your preferences in a safe deposit box. That's
because your family may have to make arrangements on
a weekend or holiday, before the box can be opened.
Prepaying
Millions of Americans have entered into contracts to
prearrange their funerals and prepay some or all of
the expenses involved. Laws of individual states govern
the prepayment of funeral goods and services; various
states have laws to help ensure that these advance payments
are available to pay for the funeral products and services
when they're needed. But protections vary widely from
state to state, and some state laws offer little or
no effective protection. Some state laws require the
funeral home or cemetery to place a percentage of the
prepayment in a state-regulated trust or to purchase
a life insurance policy with the death benefits assigned
to the funeral home or cemetery.
If you're thinking about prepaying
for funeral goods and services, it's important to consider
these issues before putting down any money:
- What are you are paying for? Are you buying only
merchandise, like a casket and vault, or are you purchasing
funeral services as well?
- What happens to the money you've prepaid? States
have different requirements for handling funds paid
for prearranged funeral services.
- What happens to the interest income on money that
is prepaid and put into a trust account?
- Are you protected if the firm you dealt with goes
out of business?
- Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund
if you change your mind?
- What happens if you move to a different area or
die while away from home? Some prepaid funeral plans
can be transferred, but often at an added cost.
Be sure to tell your family about
the plans you've made; let them know where the documents
are filed. If your family isn't aware that you've made
plans, your wishes may not be carried out. And if family
members don't know that you've prepaid the funeral costs,
they could end up paying for the same arrangements.
You may wish to consult an attorney on the best way
to ensure that your wishes are followed.
The Funeral Rule
Most funeral providers are professionals
who strive to serve their clients' needs and best interests.
But some aren't. They may take advantage of their clients
through inflated prices, overcharges, double charges
or unnecessary services. Fortunately, there's a federal
law that makes it easier for you to choose only those
goods and services you want or need and to pay only
for those you select, whether you are making arrangements
pre-need or at need.
The Funeral Rule, enforced by the
Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors
to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask,
over the phone. The Rule also requires funeral directors
to give you other information about their goods and
services. For example, if you ask about funeral arrangements
in person, the funeral home must give you a written
price list to keep that shows the goods and services
the home offers. If you want to buy a casket or outer
burial container, the funeral provider must show you
descriptions of the available selections and the prices
before actually showing you the caskets.
Many funeral providers offer various "packages"
of commonly selected goods and services that make up
a funeral. But when you arrange for a funeral, you have
the right to buy individual goods and services. That
is, you do not have to accept a package that may include
items you do not want.
According to the Funeral Rule:
- you have the right to choose the funeral goods and
services you want (with some exceptions).
- the funeral provider must state this right in writing
on the general price list.
- if state or local law requires you to buy any particular
item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the
price list, with a reference to the specific law.
- the funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a
fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.
- a funeral provider that offers cremations must make
alternative containers available.
What Kind of Funeral Do You Want?
Every family is different, and not
everyone wants the same type of funeral. Funeral practices
are influenced by religious and cultural traditions,
costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine
whether the funeral will be elaborate or simple, public
or private, religious or secular, and where it will
be held. They also influence whether the body will be
present at the funeral, if there will be a viewing or
visitation, and if so, whether the casket will be open
or closed, and whether the remains will be buried or
cremated.
Among the choices you'll need to make
are whether you want one of these basic types of funerals,
or something in between.
"Traditional," full-service
funeral
This type of funeral, often referred to by funeral providers
as a "traditional" funeral, usually includes
a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service,
use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral
site and cemetery, and burial, entombment or cremation
of the remains.
It is generally the most expensive
type of funeral. In addition to the funeral home's basic
services fee, costs often include embalming and dressing
the body; rental of the funeral home for the viewing
or service; and use of vehicles to transport the family
if they don't use their own. The costs of a casket,
cemetery plot or crypt and other funeral goods and services
also must be factored in.
Every
family is
different, and not
everyone wants
the same type
of funeral. |
Direct burial
The body is buried shortly after death, usually in a
simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved,
so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may
be held at the graveside or later. Direct burial usually
costs less than the "traditional," full-service
funeral. Costs include the funeral home's basic services
fee, as well as transportation and care of the body,
the purchase of a casket or burial container and a cemetery
plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery
for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional
fee for a graveside service.
Direct cremation
The body is cremated shortly after death, without embalming.
The cremated remains are placed in an urn or other container.
No viewing or visitation is involved, although a memorial
service may be held, with or without the cremated remains
present. The remains can be kept in the home, buried
or placed in a crypt or niche in a cemetery, or buried
or scattered in a favorite spot. Direct cremation usually
costs less than the "traditional," full-service
funeral. Costs include the funeral home's basic services
fee, as well as transportation and care of the body.
A crematory fee may be included or, if the funeral home
does not own the crematory, the fee may be added on.
There also will be a charge for an urn or other container.
The cost of a cemetery plot or crypt is included only
if the remains are buried or entombed.
Funeral providers who offer direct
cremations also must offer to provide an alternative
container that can be used in place of a casket.
Choosing a Funeral Provider
Many people don't realize that they
are not legally required to use a funeral home to plan
and conduct a funeral. However, because they have little
experience with the many details and legal requirements
involved and may be emotionally distraught when it's
time to make the plans, many people find the services
of a professional funeral home to be a comfort.
Consumers often select a funeral home
or cemetery because it's close to home, has served the
family in the past, or has been recommended by someone
they trust. But people who limit their search to just
one funeral home may risk paying more than necessary
for the funeral or narrowing their choice of goods and
services.
Comparison shopping need not be difficult,
especially if it's done before the need for a funeral
arises. If you visit a funeral home in person, the funeral
provider is required by law to give you a general price
list itemizing the cost of the items and services the
home offers. If the general price list does not include
specific prices of caskets or outer burial containers,
the law requires the funeral director to show you the
price lists for those items before showing you the items.
Sometimes it's more convenient and
less stressful to "price shop" funeral homes
by telephone. The Funeral Rule requires funeral directors
to provide price information over the phone to any caller
who asks for it. In addition, many funeral homes are
happy to mail you their price lists, although that is
not required by law.
When comparing prices, be sure to
consider the total cost of all the items together, in
addition to the costs of single items. Every funeral
home should have price lists that include all the items
essential for the different types of arrangements it
offers. Many funeral homes offer package funerals that
may cost less than purchasing individual items or services.
Offering package funerals is permitted by law, as long
as an itemized price list also is provided. But only
by using the price lists can you accurately compare
total costs.
Be
sure to consider
the total cost
of all the items. |
In addition, there's a growing trend
toward consolidation in the funeral home industry, and
many neighborhood funeral homes are thought to be locally
owned when in fact, they're owned by a national corporation.
If this issue is important to you, you may want to ask
if the funeral home is locally owned.
Funeral Costs
Funeral costs include:
1. Basic services fee for the
funeral director and staff
The Funeral Rule allows funeral providers
to charge a basic services fee that customers cannot
decline to pay. The basic services fee includes services
that are common to all funerals, regardless of the specific
arrangement. These include funeral planning, securing
the necessary permits and copies of death certificates,
preparing the notices, sheltering the remains, and coordinating
the arrangements with the cemetery, crematory or other
third parties. The fee does not include charges for
optional services or merchandise.
2. Charges for other services
and merchandise
These are costs for optional goods
and services such as transporting the remains; embalming
and other preparation; use of the funeral home for the
viewing, ceremony or memorial service; use of equipment
and staff for a graveside service; use of a hearse or
limousine; a casket, outer burial container or alternate
container; and cremation or interment.
3. Cash advances
These are fees charged by the funeral
home for goods and services it buys from outside vendors
on your behalf, including flowers, obituary notices,
pallbearers, officiating clergy, and organists and soloists.
Some funeral providers charge you their cost for the
items they buy on your behalf. Others add a service
fee to their cost. The Funeral Rule requires those who
charge an extra fee to disclose that fact in writing,
although it doesn't require them to specify the amount
of their markup. The Rule also requires funeral providers
to tell you if there are refunds, discounts or rebates
from the supplier on any cash advance item.
Calculating the Actual Cost
The funeral provider must give you
an itemized statement of the total cost of the funeral
goods and services you have selected when you are making
the arrangements. If the funeral provider doesn't know
the cost of the cash advance items at the time, he or
she is required to give you a written "good faith
estimate." This statement also must disclose any
legal, cemetery or crematory requirements that you purchase
any specific funeral goods or services.
The Funeral Rule does not require
any specific format for this information. Funeral providers
may include it in any document they give you at the
end of your discussion about funeral arrangements.
Services and Products
Embalming
Many funeral homes require embalming if you're planning
a viewing or visitation. But embalming generally is
not necessary or legally required if the body is buried
or cremated shortly after death. Eliminating this service
can save you hundreds of dollars. Under the Funeral
Rule, a funeral provider:
- may not provide embalming services without permission.
- may not falsely state that embalming is required
by law.
- must disclose in writing that embalming is not required
by law, except in certain special cases.
- may not charge a fee for unauthorized embalming
unless embalming is required by state law.
- must disclose in writing that you usually have the
right to choose a disposition, such as direct cremation
or immediate burial, that does not require embalming
if you do not want this service.
- must disclose in writing that some funeral arrangements,
such as a funeral with viewing, may make embalming
a practical necessity and, if so, a required purchase.
Caskets
For a "traditional," full-service funeral:
A casket often is the single most expensive item you'll
buy if you plan a "traditional," full-service
funeral. Caskets vary widely in style and price and
are sold primarily for their visual appeal. Typically,
they're constructed of metal, wood, fiberboard, fiberglass
or plastic. Although an average casket costs slightly
more than $2,000, some mahogany, bronze or copper caskets
sell for as much as $10,000.
When you visit a funeral home or showroom
to shop for a casket, the Funeral Rule requires the
funeral director to show you a list of caskets the company
sells, with descriptions and prices, before showing
you the caskets. Industry studies show that the average
casket shopper buys one of the first three models shown,
generally the middle-priced of the three.
Caskets
vary
widely in style
and price. |
So it's in the seller's best interest
to start out by showing you higher-end models. If you
haven't seen some of the lower-priced models on the
price list, ask to see them - but don't be surprised
if they're not prominently displayed, or not on display
at all.
Traditionally, caskets have been sold
only by funeral homes. But with increasing frequency,
showrooms and websites operated by "third-party"
dealers are selling caskets. You can buy a casket from
one of these dealers and have it shipped directly to
the funeral home. The Funeral Rule requires funeral
homes to agree to use a casket you bought elsewhere,
and doesn't allow them to charge you a fee for using
it.
No matter where or when you're buying
a casket, it's important to remember that its purpose
is to provide a dignified way to move the body before
burial or cremation. No casket, regardless of its qualities
or cost, will preserve a body forever. Metal caskets
frequently are described as "gasketed," "protective"
or "sealer" caskets. These terms mean that
the casket has a rubber gasket or some other feature
that is designed to delay the penetration of water into
the casket and prevent rust. The Funeral Rule forbids
claims that these features help preserve the remains
indefinitely because they don't. They just add to the
cost of the casket.
Most metal caskets are made from rolled
steel of varying gauges - the lower the gauge, the thicker
the steel. Some metal caskets come with a warranty for
longevity. Wooden caskets generally are not gasketed
and don't have a warranty for longevity. They can be
hardwood like mahogany, walnut, cherry or oak, or softwood
like pine. Pine caskets are a less expensive option,
but funeral homes rarely display them. Manufacturers
of both wooden and metal caskets usually warrant workmanship
and materials.
For cremation:
Many families that opt to have their loved ones cremated
rent a casket from the funeral home for the visitation
and funeral, eliminating the cost of buying a casket.
If you opt for visitation and cremation, ask about the
rental option. For those who choose a direct cremation
without a viewing or other ceremony where the body is
present, the funeral provider must offer an inexpensive
unfinished wood box or alternative container, a non-metal
enclosure - pressboard, cardboard or canvas - that is
cremated with the body.
Under the Funeral Rule, funeral directors
who offer direct cremations:
- may not tell you that state or local law requires
a casket for direct cremations, because none do;
- must disclose in writing your right to buy an unfinished
wood box or an alternative container for a direct
cremation; and
- must make an unfinished wood box or other alternative
container available for direct cremations.
Burial Vaults or Grave Liners
Burial vaults or grave liners, also known as burial
containers, are commonly used in "traditional,"
full-service funerals. The vault or liner is placed
in the ground before burial, and the casket is lowered
into it at burial. The purpose is to prevent the ground
from caving in as the casket deteriorates over time.
A grave liner is made of reinforced concrete and will
satisfy any cemetery requirement. Grave liners cover
only the top and sides of the casket. A burial vault
is more substantial and expensive than a grave liner.
It surrounds the casket in concrete or another material
and may be sold with a warranty of protective strength.
State laws do not require a vault
or liner, and funeral providers may not tell you otherwise.
However, keep in mind that many cemeteries require some
type of outer burial container to prevent the grave
from sinking in the future. Neither grave liners nor
burial vaults are designed to prevent the eventual decomposition
of human remains. It is illegal for funeral providers
to claim that a vault will keep water, dirt or other
debris from penetrating into the casket if that's not
true.
Before showing you any outer burial
containers, a funeral provider is required to give you
a list of prices and descriptions. It may be less expensive
to buy an outer burial container from a third-party
dealer than from a funeral home or cemetery. Compare
prices from several sources before you select a model.
Preservative Processes and
Products
As far back as the ancient Egyptians, people have used
oils, herbs and special body preparations to help preserve
the bodies of their dead. Yet, no process or products
have been devised to preserve a body in the grave indefinitely.
The Funeral Rule prohibits funeral providers from telling
you that it can be done. For example, funeral providers
may not claim that either embalming or a particular
type of casket will preserve the body of the deceased
for an unlimited time.
Cemetery Sites
When you are purchasing a cemetery
plot, consider the location of the cemetery and whether
it meets the requirements of your family's religion.
Other considerations include what, if any, restrictions
the cemetery places on burial vaults purchased elsewhere,
the type of monuments or memorials it allows, and whether
flowers or other remembrances may be placed on graves.
Cost is another consideration. Cemetery
plots can be expensive, especially in metropolitan areas.
Most, but not all, cemeteries require you to purchase
a grave liner, which will cost several hundred dollars.
Note that there are charges - usually hundreds of dollars
- to open a grave for interment and additional charges
to fill it in. Perpetual care on a cemetery plot sometimes
is included in the purchase price, but it's important
to clarify that point before you buy the site or service.
If it's not included, look for a separate endowment
care fee for maintenance and groundskeeping.
If you plan to bury your loved one's
cremated remains in a mausoleum or columbarium, you
can expect to purchase a crypt and pay opening and closing
fees, as well as charges for endowment care and other
services. The FTC's Funeral Rule does not cover cemeteries
and mausoleums unless they sell both funeral goods and
funeral services, so be cautious in making your purchase
to ensure that you receive all pertinent price and other
information, and that you're being dealt with fairly.
Veterans Cemeteries
All veterans are entitled to a free burial in a national
cemetery and a grave marker. This eligibility also extends
to some civilians who have provided military-related
service and some Public Health Service personnel. Spouses
and dependent children also are entitled to a lot and
marker when buried in a national cemetery. There are
no charges for opening or closing the grave, for a vault
or liner, or for setting the marker in a national cemetery.
The family generally is responsible for other expenses,
including transportation to the cemetery. For more information,
visit the Department of Veterans Affairs' website at
www.cem.va.gov. To reach the regional Veterans office
in your area, call 1-800-827-1000.
In addition, many states have established
state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility requirements
and other details vary. Contact your state for more
information.
Beware of commercial cemeteries that
advertise so-called "veterans' specials."
These cemeteries sometimes offer a free plot for the
veteran, but charge exorbitant rates for an adjoining
plot for the spouse, as well as high fees for opening
and closing each grave. Evaluate the bottom-line cost
to be sure the special is as special as you may be led
to believe.
For More Information
Most states have a licensing board
that regulates the funeral industry. You may contact
the board in your state for information or help. If
you want additional information about making funeral
arrangements and the options available, you may want
to contact interested business, professional and consumer
groups. Some of the biggest are:
AARP Fulfillment
601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
1-800-424-3410
www.aarp.org
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated
to helping older Americans achieve lives of independence,
dignity and purpose. Its publications, Funeral Goods
and Services and Pre-Paying for Your Funeral, are available
free by writing to the above address. This and other
funeral-related information is posted on the AARP website.
Council of Better Business
Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
www.bbb.org
Better Business Bureaus are private, nonprofit organizations
that promote ethical business standards and voluntary
self-regulation of business practices.
Funeral Consumers Alliance
PO Box 10
Hinesburg, VT 05461
1-800-458-5563
www.funerals.org
FCA, a nonprofit, educational organization that supports
increased funeral consumer protection, is affiliated
with the Funeral and Memorial Society of America (FAMSA).
Cremation Association of North
America
401 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-6610
www.cremationassociation.org
CANA is an association of crematories, cemeteries and
funeral homes that offer cremation.
International Cemetery and
Funeral Association
1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191 1-800-645-7700
www.icfa.org
ICFA is a nonprofit association of cemeteries, funeral
homes, crematories and monument retailers that offers
informal mediation of consumer complaints through its
Cemetery Consumer Service Council. Its website provides
information and advice under "Consumer Resources."
International Order of the
Golden Rule
13523 Lakefront Drive
St. Louis, MO 63045
1-800-637-8030
www.ogr.org
OGR is an international association of about 1,300 independent
funeral homes.
Jewish Funeral Directors of
America Seaport Landing
150 Lynnway, Suite 506
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-9300
www.jfda.org
JFDA is an international association of funeral homes
serving the Jewish community.
National Funeral Directors
Association
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
1-800-228-6332
www.nfda.org/resources
NFDA is the largest educational and professional association
of funeral directors.
National Funeral Directors
and Morticians Association
3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Suite 570
Decatur, GA 30035
1-800-434-0958
www.nfdma.com
NFDMA is a national association primarily of African-American
funeral providers.
National Selected Morticians
5 Revere Drive, Suite 340
Northbrook, IL 60062-8009
1-800-323-4219
www.nsm.org
NSM is a national association of funeral firms that
have agreed to comply with its Code of Good Funeral
Practice. Consumers may request a variety of publications
through NSM's affiliate, the Consumer Information Bureau,
Inc.
Funeral Service Consumer Assistance
Program
PO Box 486
Elm Grove, WI 53122-0486
1-800-662-7666
FSCAP is a nonprofit consumer service designed to help
people understand funeral service and related topics
and to help them resolve funeral service concerns. FSCAP
service representatives and an intervener assist consumers
in identifying needs, addressing complaints and resolving
problems. Free brochures on funeral related topics are
available.
Funeral Service Educational
Foundation
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
1-877-402-5900
FSEF is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to advancing
professionalism in funeral service and to enhancing
public knowledge and understanding through education
and research.
Solving Problems
If you have a problem concerning funeral
matters, it's best to try to resolve it first with the
funeral director. If you are dissatisfied, the Funeral
Consumer's Alliance may be able to advise you on how
best to resolve your issue. You also can contact your
state or local consumer protection agencies listed in
your telephone book, or the Funeral Service Consumer
Assistance Program.
You can file a complaint with the
FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center by phone,
toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 1-866-653-4261;
by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or
on the Internet at www.ftc.gov,
using the online complaint form. Although the Commission
cannot resolve individual problems for consumers, it
can act against a company if it sees a pattern of possible
law violations.
Planning
for a Funeral
- Shop around in advance. Compare
prices from at least two funeral homes. Remember
that you can supply your own casket or urn.
- Ask for a price list. The
law requires funeral homes to give you written
price lists for products and services.
- Resist pressure to buy goods and services
you don't really want or need.
- Avoid emotional overspending.
It's not necessary to have the fanciest casket
or the most elaborate funeral to properly honor
a loved one.
- Recognize your rights. Laws
regarding funerals and burials vary from state
to state. It's a smart move to know which goods
or services the law requires you to purchase
and which are optional.
- Apply the same smart shopping techniques
you use for other major purchases.
You can cut costs by limiting the viewing to
one day or one hour before the funeral, and
by dressing your loved one in a favorite outfit
instead of costly burial clothing.
- Plan ahead. It allows you
to comparison shop without time constraints,
creates an opportunity for family discussion,
and lifts some of the burden from your family.
|
Prices to Check
Make copies of this page and check
with several funeral homes to compare costs.
"Simple"
disposition of the remains: |
Immediate burial |
|
Immediate
cremation |
|
If the cremation process is extra, how much
is it?
|
|
Donation of the body to a medical
school or hospital |
|
"Traditional,"
full-service burial or cremation: |
Basic services fee for the funeral
director and staff |
|
Pickup of body |
|
Embalming |
|
Other preparation of body |
|
Least expensive casket |
|
Description, including model #
|
|
Outer Burial Container (vault) |
|
Description
|
|
Visitation/viewing - staff and
facilities |
|
Funeral or memorial service -
staff and facilities |
|
Graveside service, including
staff and equipment |
|
Hearse |
|
Other vehicles |
|
Total |
|
Other
Services: |
Forwarding body to another funeral
home |
|
Receiving body from another funeral
home |
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Cemetery/Mausoleum
Costs: |
Cost of lot or crypt (if you
don't already own one) |
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Perpetual care |
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Opening and closing the grave
or crypt |
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Grave liner, if required |
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Marker/monument (including setup)
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Glossary of Terms
Courtesy of the California Department
of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
Alternative Container
An unfinished wood box or other non-metal
receptacle without ornamentation, often made of fiberboard,
pressed wood or composition materials, and generally
lower in cost than caskets.
Casket/Coffin
A box or chest for burying remains.
Cemetery Property
A grave, crypt or niche.
Cemetery Services
Opening and closing graves, crypts
or niches; setting grave liners and vaults; setting
markers; and long-term maintenance of cemetery grounds
and facilities.
Columbarium
A structure with niches (small spaces)
for placing cremated remains in urns or other approved
containers. It may be outdoors or part of a mausoleum.
Cremation
Exposing remains and the container
encasing them to extreme heat and flame and processing
the resulting bone fragments to a uniform size and consistency.
Crypt
A space in a mausoleum or other building
to hold cremated or whole remains.
Disposition
The placement of cremated or whole
remains in their final resting place.
Endowment Care Fund
Money collected from cemetery property
purchasers and placed in trust for the maintenance and
upkeep of the cemetery.
Entombment
Burial in a mausoleum.
Funeral Ceremony
A service commemorating the deceased,
with the body present.
Funeral Services
Services provided by a funeral director
and staff, which may include consulting with the family
on funeral planning; transportation, shelter, refrigeration
and embalming of remains; preparing and filing notices;
obtaining authorizations and permits; and coordinating
with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties.
Funeral Planning Society
See Memorial Society.
Grave
A space in the ground in a cemetery
for the burial of remains.
Grave Liner or Outer Container
A concrete cover that fits over a
casket in a grave. Some liners cover tops and sides
of the casket. Others, referred to as vaults, completely
enclose the casket. Grave liners minimize ground settling.
Graveside Service
A service to commemorate the deceased
held at the cemetery before burial.
Interment
Burial in the ground, inurnment or
entombment.
Inurnment
The placing of cremated remains in
an urn.
Mausoleum
A building in which remains are buried
or entombed.
Memorial Service
A ceremony commemorating the deceased,
without the body present.
Memorial Society
An organization that provides information
about funerals and disposition, but is not part of the
state-regulated funeral industry.
Niche
A space in a columbarium, mausoleum
or niche wall to hold an urn.
Urn
A container to hold cremated remains.
It can be placed in a columbarium or mausoleum, or buried
in the ground.
Vault
A grave liner that completely encloses
a casket.
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