3 Unexpected Costs To Address When Pre-Planning Your Funeral

Thinking about death can be unpleasant for many people, but taking the time to think about your funeral arrangement could save your family a significant amount of stress after you pass away. Pre-arranging your funeral is a great way to not only ensure that your funeral reflects your style and personality, but to save your loved ones money as well.

When you begin preparing your pre-arranged funeral, you can make payments toward the cost of your service to help relieve the financial burden your loved ones may feel after you pass away. Here are three unexpected expenses that pre-arranging your funeral can help you address.

1. Opening The Grave 

While many people think to purchase a cemetery plot before they pass away, they often fail to make arrangements to pay for the opening of the grave. In order to complete the burial process, cemetery personnel will need to dig up the ground on your plot to create an underground tomb.

This service can cost anywhere from $600 to over $1,200, depending on the area in which you live. By asking your local cemetery for an estimate, you can set aside enough money to cover the cost of opening your grave during the pre-arranging phase of your funeral.

2. Publishing The Obituary

You have likely given some thought to what you would like your obituary to say, but it's important to also plan ahead for the cost of publishing the obituary after your passing. An obituary is an easy way to distribute information regarding the time and place of your funeral service, but this convenience comes at a cost.

Depending on your local newspaper's pricing structure, publishing an obituary can cost anywhere from $0 to $600. Once you have roughed out a copy of your obituary during the pre-arranging process, ask your local newspaper for an estimate on the cost of running the copy. You can then add money to your budget to help your family members cover the cost of publishing an obituary.

3. Floral Arrangements

While it's customary for friends and extended family members to send floral arrangements to your surviving family members, additional floral arrangements will likely need to be purchased to ensure your funeral is properly decorated.

When pre-arranging a funeral, many people forget about the cost of flowers. A funeral package from your local florist could cost anywhere from $200 to $800, with most packages averaging between $300 and $500. Be sure that your pre-planning activities include setting aside money for floral arrangements.

Planning ahead for unexpected funeral costs can be beneficial if you want to alleviate the financial burden your passing could place on your surviving family members.

About Me

Honoring Your Loved Ones

When someone that you love passes away, it can be hard to cope with the new normal. Before you can get on with the rest of your life, you need to plan a memorial service, which can be emotionally challenging. However, if you work with the right funeral home and know what you want, you you might be able to streamline the process. I have had several family members pass on, and I am somewhat of a funeral enthusiast. This blog is all about helping you to honor your loved ones by talking about what different funeral homes have to offer.

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