You won’t believe the difference in prices between funeral homes – for the same things!
Important! If you aren’t planning to use the funeral home for a viewing or service, you can choose based on price, not location. If you are only gathering at the religious institution and/or the cemetery – no one will be going to the funeral home. You can save thousand by choosing a funeral home outside of your immediate area.
Planning a Funeral?
Figure out what you want using our decision tree
Once you know what you want, call several funeral homes and compare prices.
Planning Simple Direct Cremation?
All funeral homes are required by law to offer a package called “Direct Cremation.” This is the simplest of arrangements with no embalming, and no viewing or service held at a funeral home. The body disposition is taken care of and you are then free to have a memorial service wherever and whenever you want (without involving – or paying – a funeral director).
How to Shop for Cremation and Prices
Planning Simple Immediate Burial?
The simplest and least expensive burial option is Immediate Burial. If you skip viewing and service at funeral home and just have a graveside service. you can save a lot by not using a local funeral home. But, it is what it sounds like; the funeral director arranges for burial at a time convenient for them. However, many funeral directors are willing to negotiate a reasonable extra charge to have a graveside service and/or for family to be present for the burial.
How to Shop for Immediate Burial
Interested in More Elaborate Arrangements?
The more goods and services you want, the more vigilant you have to be when shopping as you have the most to lose.
Make sure you know exactly what you want using our decision tree.
Consider the various ways you can save money in the links below.
While you can call around and ask for prices, if you want a viewing and/or a service in the funeral home, you will be best off making appointments and visiting several funeral homes in person. Not only will you leave with a written estimate that will make it easier to compare prices, you will have a better sense of whether you like the look of the funeral home and if the staff made you feel comfortable and respected.
Here is a sample price list to give you ideas of the myriad of prices that are involved. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
How to Save Money on Burial
Ten Tips for Saving Funeral Dollars
Simple and Cheap, My Father Said
How to Read a Funeral Home Price List
How to Pay for a Funeral
Financial Assistance
Free cremation through Body Donation
Veteran’s Benefits
Medicaid Assistance
Crime Victims
Infant Deaths
Indigent Deaths
Car Accidents
Social Security
Pre-Paying
Thinking about pre-paying? We don’t recommend it except in certain circumstances such as spending down for Medicaid. See what the Funeral Consumers Alliance has to say about it here and the NJ Department of Consumer Affairs brief.
