Understanding Funeral Packages
The final package is extended care. This package is intended for those who wish to spend more than the rest. Pricing would vary for this package.
The third package is full-service care. This includes transportation of the deceased to another location, requirements for overseas funerals, a specialized funeral service (e.g., Maori), headstone, and catering. It would cost anywhere between $7000 to $10000.
The second package is intermediate care. It includes preparation of the body, a viewing, and a funeral service. This would typically cost anywhere between $4000 to $6000.
There are four different funeral packages. The first is basic care, which includes transportation of the deceased to the funeral provider’s location and the arrangement of necessary documentation. It would typically cost anywhere between $1500 to $3000.
Funeral packages are offers provided by funeral providers and serve as a way for customers to get an overall price for a funeral. Different packages vary in offerings and prices.
Types of Funeral Packages
Package C: The most expensive package usually offering the best quality services, suitable for those who want the best possible for their deceased loved one. With no expenses spared, this package offers higher quality services of all the above along with additional services such as flowers/catering and extra transportation costs for friends and relatives. There is also a provision of a higher quality casket and urn.
Package B: This package contains a mix of services offering a balance between affordability and a satisfactory funeral. It includes services similar to package A but of higher quality. Also included in this package would be additional services such as placing the obituary or funeral notices in a newspaper, a nicer casket or hearse, and a viewing of the deceased. This package is said to be the most cost-effective package as the services provided are considered value for money.
Package A: The lowest price package, suitable for those who want to keep things simple. This package usually includes very basic services such as the preparation and care of the deceased, a casket, and a basic funeral service. People who choose this package usually do not wish to have any of their friends and relatives informed of the death, so there is no mention of placing the obituary or funeral notices in the newspapers.
There are basically 3 main types of funeral packages offered by the funeral industry. Each package will be different in terms of the amount of services included and the quality of each service.
Inclusions in Funeral Packages
If the deceased is to be buried or cremated, funeral providers will coordinate the logistics of the burial/cremation. This involves things such as receiving and preparing the deceased, grave preparations, cremation date and time, and all other parties involved in the logistics of the event. Preparation of the deceased can differ, with embalming being an additional cost for some packages. It is important to know what will be provided since the deceased will likely have been accustomed to a certain ritual in their culture or religion in preparing for a burial or cremation.
Inclusions could involve paperwork and documentation processes, contacting doctors and care professionals, certifying the cause of death, lodging the death with the registry of births, deaths, and marriages, obtaining the death certificate and necessary permit for burial or cremation, as well as the transfer of the deceased to the care of the funeral provider. These are the necessary steps needed before any funeral, whether burial or cremation, can take place. Some packages may or may not include these steps, and it is important to have it clarified.
Different funeral providers offer different types of services and inclusions in their packages, which may vary greatly. It is important to work out what is essential to you and what are simply ‘nice to have’ options. This will assist you in deciding what price range you are willing to spend for the funeral and which package to choose.
Additional Costs and Options
During the funeral planning process, there are many options and additional costs that are important for you to know, as this will enhance the funeral ceremony that you are planning. There are numerous alternative choices for the person who is providing the funeral service to decide upon, many of which may not have been available not too long ago. An example of this kind of alternative method could be aboveground cremation niches. This entails placing the urn that contains the deceased’s ashes into a wall or columbarium. This option is a much more attractive approach to what was available in the past, which would involve digging a hole and placing the urn in the ground, then covering it with dirt. Niches come in many different shapes, sizes and designs which can be customized according to your preference. The cost of a niche will vary depending on its location, size and design. The cost can range anywhere from $3000 up to $15000. This is a permanent and maintenance-free option, but remember to check if the cost includes perpetual care.
Exploring Columbarium Niches
A columbarium is a tribute to a legacy, providing a final resting place for memories to dwell. The term “columbarium” comes from the Latin word Columba, meaning dove – it refers to a house of doves where doves and the ashes of the deceased coexisted. This comes from the early Catholic custom of sharing a grave by storing the ashes in a communal tomb and mirrors today’s intent to house cremated remains. A modern day columbarium is essentially a building specially designed to be a repository for urns containing ashes. It consists of niches, a small compartment with a covering, which can be either a door for the urn to be placed behind, or a piece of marble where the urn is placed on top. Each niche can vary in size but all are designed to hold an urn and plaque with the name, date of birth, and date of death of the deceased. Niches are often sold as a lease, the duration of which can vary and an additional fee may be charged for the upkeep or maintenance of the niche. Some columbariums also offer scattering gardens, where ashes may be scattered and a special area will be maintained in memory of those who have chosen to scatter their remains there. Niches come in two major types: indoor and outdoor. Indoor niches are commonly found in mausoleums, and due to the fact that they are sheltered from the elements, urns may remain in good condition for an extended period of time. Indoor niches have the advantage of offering a neutral climate to visitors and providing a private setting for reflection on the deceased. Outdoor niches are often located in a courtyard area or garden and are generally more cost-effective than indoor niches. While an outdoor environment is more likely to expose urns and plaques to degradation over time, they are an attractive option for those who wish for their loved ones to remain in a nature-like setting. The price of a niche can depend on factors such as its location, duration of the lease, and add-on services such as maintenance. High-demand areas or areas with a great deal of significance may attract higher pricing. Niche prices can range dramatically and there is often both a niche and installation fee to be considered. A niche can cost from around one thousand to twenty thousand or more and it is important to be aware of any extra costs which may be incurred in the future. Buyers need to evaluate and understand their budget and plan ahead to ensure they can cover the niche for the duration of the lease.
What is a Columbarium?
Columbaria are often used in conjunction with traditional burial. Families with a number of plots in a cemetery might use a columbarium to house the remains of family members who chose cremation instead of burial. The remains of a married couple might be interred in a columbarium in an urn, to allow for placement together in a single niche. Demand for columbarium space is increasing with the rising popularity of cremation, and prices can vary greatly depending on location, style, and available features. Given the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age (and therefore beginning to plan funerals) and the increasing percentage of people choosing cremation, it is likely that the next few decades will see a notable increase in the construction of private and public columbaria.
A columbarium is a freestanding structure, room, or wall designed to house cremation urns. The term “columbarium” comes from the Latin word “columba,” which means “dovecote.” A dovecote is basically a structure for birds to nest in. The idea here is that a columbarium is a nesting place for the urns it contains. There are many styles of columbaria. Outdoor garden structures are very common. These can be small, holding only a few dozen urns, or very large, being big enough to be a standalone cemetery. Columbaria can also be a room within a building. Niches are recessed compartments that hold urns, and niches are typically what make up a columbarium, regardless of style. A niche may be a simple hole in a wall with a plaque, or it could be an ornate chamber with space for personal effects and multiple urns.
Types of Columbarium Niches
Free-Standing Columbarium – As the name implies, it is a columbarium that is a structure consisting of niches accessible from all sides. These types of columbariums are more architecturally appealing, and niches may vary in design. A free-standing columbarium may be an outdoor or semi-outdoor structure and is generally made of marble, granite, bronze, or wood. Some have roofs, so they are suitable for visiting in all weather. Prices vary according to design and location.
Niche Wall – These are the most common types of niches, and due to increased demand, niche walls are available both outdoors and indoors. They are no-frills niches and vary greatly in price depending on their location. Niche walls are above ground and are highly suitable for families who may have difficulty reaching a garden or ground-level niche. Niche walls are generally niches that are stacked in rows. Once a niche is purchased, the front of the niche is sealed with marble, granite, or bronze. A plaque would be placed on the front of the niche.
Factors Affecting Columbarium Prices
Another factor is the location of the niche within the columbarium. Outdoor niches generally cost more than indoor ones, though this trend is reversed in particularly cold or hot climates, where indoor niches are in higher demand. Niches that are at eye level and those located at some focal point within the columbarium (such as around a chapel) are also more expensive. Niches which are located in older parts of a columbarium may sometimes cost less, on the basis that they are less desirable. Columbarium niches are available in an almost infinite array of shapes, sizes, and designs. The more basic the niche, the less expensive it will be. Most columbaria also provide a variety of commemorative options, such as inscriptions, plaques or small personal effects which can be displayed at the niche site. Each commemorative option adds cost to the niche, and over time these costs can inflate with additional memorial services or ceremonies held at the niche site.
Comparing Funeral Packages and Columbarium Niches
The next level on the columbarium price scale is a “simple cremation” or “direct burial” which involve minimal requirements from the family. Prices can vary greatly for these services, so it pays to contact several funeral homes to ensure the best price. If a family has something more substantial in mind, they might want to consider a “traditional” funeral service. This can involve either a casket burial or placement of the urn following the cremation, and will generally include visitation of the body, a church/memorial service and possibly a reception of some kind. The cost of this sort of service again varies widely, and families are encouraged to shop around. For those wanting the ultimate in flexibility and personalization, some funeral homes now offer a “celebration of life” service. A comparison tool for these various services is available at agoodgoodbye.com.
The cost of a funeral service can vary dramatically, and usually the price is a good indicator of the quality of the service provided. Funerals are no longer one-size-fits-all events, and more often today a family will have a funeral director assist in planning a highly individualized experience reflecting the life of the deceased. Typically, a funeral director will sit down with the family and assess their needs, and then tailor a package to suit both the desires and budget of the family. For those on a tight budget, most funeral homes offer an “immediate disposition” service, which is the medical removal and shelter of the body until a permit for cremation or burial can be obtained. This is the least expensive option, generally costing around $1000.
A funeral service can be arranged in a wide variety of ways, depending on the family’s wishes and budget. Often, one of the primary concerns is the cost involved, so it is important to take some time to consider what sort of service is most appropriate and how much it will cost. Similarly, for those opting for a cremation, a decision will be made regarding the placement of the cremated remains. This could be in a burial plot (with the casket or urn), a niche (an individually purchased space within a columbarium), or a scattering garden. Again, it is important to consider exactly what the relative benefits are and how much it will cost.
Cost Comparison of Different Funeral Packages
The traditional funeral package is a full-service package that generally includes embalming, a viewing, a hearse to the cemetery and church or funeral home, a service, and a graveside interment service. This package can be done as a complete full-service event, or any part of it can be taken and done in partial. In general, a traditional funeral package costs more than other forms. This is due to several factors, including the aforementioned procurement of burial resources, and the general higher cost of funeral home services. This high cost often elicits some criticism in terms of value, because the high emotional fragility of the funeral home consumer often makes it easy for a funeral home to sell services that a family feels that it must have, but in actuality will provide little practical benefit. This can result in overspending on the wrong services. It is important to remember however, in most cases the value of a service is determined subjectively by the one seeking the service. A newer type of funeral service is known as a “celebration of life” event. This type of event is centered not on death, but on life. It seeks to avoid the morose atmosphere of the average funeral and can often be done at a separate time and location from when the deceased was buried. This type of event can often be done in a manner that does not involve the purchase of any burial services from a funeral home, and thus it can be done at significantly less cost. A consumer seeking to minimize the cost of saying goodbye to a deceased loved one will want to consider whether a traditional service is really necessary. High cost does not necessarily mean high value.
Cost Comparison of Columbarium Niches
Columbarium niches often come in a variety of designs and prices, depending on the location of the niche, the reputation or prestige of the columbarium, and the additional services bundled with the purchase of a niche. The cheapest niches are often those offered by the government, such as those at the Mandai Columbarium, although these are limited to Singaporean deaths only, and the waiting list for a niche can be very long. Niche prices are usually around $1000 – $3000 for a 15-year package, $4000 – $12000 for a 30-year package, and $15000 and above for a niche that is supposed to last perpetuity. An example of the varying prices of similar products would be the Ash Urn Compartments offered by Tampines Christian Columbarium and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. A 15-year lease at the former costs $3040 inclusive of niche, inscription, and vase, while a similar niche at the latter costs $6500, and this is without various additional costs such as an $800 lease extension for every 5 years, and $200 for niche restoration to replace faded inscriptions. How the niche lease is calculated can also affect the overall price of the niche. Some niche prices are fixed, while others increase based on a yearly rate. St. Joseph’s Church Columbarium has niches that increase from $2800 to $3500 over a 30-year lease, while an Everlasting Love Columbarium niche increases from $15000 to $18,000 over the same period. Long-term lease packages are usually costlier than short-term packages in absolute value, but cheaper in yearly rate; a 5-year package at Choa Chu Kang Lawn Cemetery costs $4500, while a 15-year package at the same location costs $12000. Potential niche customers are thus advised to calculate the total lease costs of various packages to find the package most suitable for their needs and budget.
Evaluating Value for Money
It is important to compare package services from the same funeral home, package services from different funeral homes, and individual itemized services. Stepwise, the most essential point for value comparison is to know what sort of services are available, their costs, and where to find the services.
The foremost way to evaluate whether a funeral package offers value for money is to compare it with others. Because there are so many variables in a funeral, an overall comparison may be difficult. A worksheet comparing individual goods and services is likely the best method. (See Appendix for sample worksheet). A simple method is to add up the total cost of the package and compare it against other totals. If the function of quality and cost holds, a lower price for comparable services would be deemed a good deal.
Finally, a good deal will often hinge on whether the survivors of the deceased feel that the price paid was fair for the services rendered. This underscores the previous point that the survivors should get what they pay for.
A good deal would also mean that the survivors of the deceased would not suffer financially. If a package is low-priced, but of low quality, there is little value because the goal of the whole funeral is to honor the deceased and cater to the survivors. If a package is high-quality and expensive, it would still not be a good deal if the survivors are forced to suffer financially.
Quality is not easy to measure, as it is both tangible and intangible and can mean different things to different people. In the context of funeral service, quality can be described as getting the results of what the consumer is promised. This relates closely to the concept of satisfaction. Essentially, the consumer should be satisfied that the services received reflect what was promised in the arrangement conference.
When it comes to evaluating the value of a funeral package, what makes for a good deal? Essentially, a good deal is a package that offers service components that most families would normally choose for a loved one, at a price that is lower than comparable packages at the same funeral home or at other funeral homes. Value can be looked at as the function of quality and cost. What is received should have a direct impact on what is paid. In other words, families should get what they pay for.
Planning and Budgeting for Funeral Expenses
Setting a realistic funeral budget can be difficult and requires a little research. The best way to set a funeral budget is to consult with the individuals who are expected to be financially responsible for your funeral. Get an idea of how much they can afford to spend, and then plan your funeral around that figure. If you are uncomfortable discussing money with your loved ones, find out how much a typical funeral costs in your area, add 5% annual inflation, and plan your budget by yourself. Keep a record of your planned funeral and budget to avoid spending more than what you’ve set aside. It’s also a good idea to shop around and inquire with a few funeral homes. They should provide you with a written price list of their products and services, without requiring you to give personal information. Many people spend more money than they can afford because they never took the time to plan or shopped around for a funeral. By researching funeral prices, you can ensure a meaningful funeral within your financial means.
Preplanning your funeral can be done in the privacy of your own home, without having to talk to anyone, or you can consult with a funeral director. An important aspect of funeral preplanning is the prepayment of funeral expenses. You can set aside funds for funeral expenses by placing money in a joint account with the funeral home, payable on death to the funeral home. This allows the cost of the funeral to be covered by assets that would otherwise go to your surviving family.
Many people don’t plan for their funeral arrangements. They leave the burden of funeral expenses to their loved ones. This often creates emotional and financial problems at an already difficult time. Regardless of your age, or whether you are financially well-off, the best way to spare your family the burden of funeral expenses is to preplan and prepay your funeral. This allows you to plan a thoughtful ceremony and limit the financial burden on your surviving family.
Setting a Funeral Budget
The funeral budget should be set by those most directly involved with making the funeral arrangements. Sometimes they are reasonable enough to let this be the responsibility of a single family member, but more often, and more preferably, the responsibility is shouldered by a small committee of family members or individuals closely associated with the decedent. The reasons for this preference are usually twofold. First, it makes sense to spread the work out among different individuals, each taking on tasks most suited to their abilities. Second, the more people are involved in making detailed funeral arrangements and in budgeting the expenses, the less likely one of them is to overspend on an emotionally driven purchase. This group needn’t be large. A three-person committee is usually the best way to combine diverse talents and avoid internal conflict. A larger committee may encounter difficulties reaching prompt decisions and may invite unnecessary opinions from outside the immediate family circle. These decisions are best made by the spouse and adult children of the deceased. The planned budget should be entered into a simple ledger or computer spreadsheet to ensure its long-term updating and accuracy. Next, the committee should make a list of the decedent’s assets and debts. This step is especially crucial if the funeral expenses are to be paid out of the estate. If the funeral is not being pre-planned, it may be tempting to rush through this step in order to begin making the necessary arrangements. However, skipping it will not only make an accurate budget and fair allocation of expenses impossible but may lead to squabbles within the family later on. The committee should seek out a rough estimate of what sort of money will be available from the asset liquidation and what sorts of debts will have to be paid by the decedent’s survivors. This estimate will bring the committee to its next decision, whether to pay for the funeral out of the estate or by other means.
Considering Personal Preferences and Cultural Traditions
Gathering of close family and friends immediately after the death for support is another common practice that can be comforting. This can be done formally in a visitation and service or informally in a reception. A reception can be a time for sharing and caring and can be held in an endless number of ways. It offers those who are grieving an opportunity to support one another in a more relaxed environment. Hosts can be creative in planning a reception and can involve friends and community in helping to prepare the food and provide entertainment. A family may have special cultural practices that they would like to observe during the time of death and loss. It is important to be aware of symbolic and meaningful practices and to find ways to incorporate them into funeral events.
Decisions about a funeral are very personal and are influenced by a variety of factors, including personal and cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and family preferences. The best time to gather information about personal preferences is while a person is still able to share their thoughts. Sometimes, it is not practical to discuss preferences ahead of time, and in this case, the following guidelines will be helpful in considering the person’s or family’s preferences. Another thing to consider when making decisions is whether the family is wishing to create a completely new tradition, such as opting for a direct cremation and a scattered ash private family ceremony, or choosing to celebrate life in a festive and unique manner.
Seeking Financial Assistance and Pre-planning Options
The Social Security benefit can also provide a survivor benefit towards funeral expenses if the deceased was receiving benefits. The rules for qualification of this benefit can be found on the US Social Security and International Pension Service. Local and state government can also be contacted for information on assistance and benefits. While seeking financial aid or donations for covering funeral expenses may ease the immediate financial burden, it’s crucial to plan wisely based on the amount of aid received or it may still be easy to overextend one’s resources. In some cases, there may be a low cost or no cost public aid coffin and funeral available, although the availability and quality of such programs can vary widely between locations.
Specific religious or ethnic-focused organizations may offer assistance for obtaining funeral services that are sensitive to a particular culture or tradition. This may take the form of monetary donations or a referral to a funeral home that has experience in conducting services for a certain culture or religion. If you are part of a union, it may have a death benefit that can cover funeral expenses. Your HR department or the union office will be able to provide information on this.