Celebrating our departed loved one's life and saying goodbye in a fitting manner does not come cheap. There are many various ways of farewelling our family and friends. From scattering ashes at a favourite fishing pond or beach to jettisoning them into deep space, funerals are a costly affair.
Even a basic cremation starts at around $3,000. The cost of a funeral service ranges from $4,500 to a whopping $10,000. There are choices to keep costs down if you need to — the timber used for the casket, or the addition of ornate trimming can bump the costs up considerably.
Some people prefer for their lives to be celebrated, rather than being mourned in a traditional service. For a fee, the funeral director can organise this "celebration of life" at a location away from a traditional funeral parlour.
If the body is cremated, the ashes can be put at a cemetery for a fee, or the funeral director may organise a "scattering" of the ashes. However, this does depend on the state laws and ordinances. For example, ashes cannot be scattered into the river or sea without permission.
If a burial is chosen, you have to factor the costs of the cemetery lot, the gravedigger, as well as costs associated with the memorial plaque, crypt or tombstone. Many funeral directors offer pre-paid plans for funerals. This is a rational way to make sure that your family does not have to undergo any more stress at a difficult time.
You can also ask funeral services near you about their costs.