Death Doesn’t Have to be Costly
Traditional funerals are big business, but in this economy the basic funeral is coming back. Funeral homes are pushing the most expensive caskets and vaults on grieving families who want to pay respect to their loved ones. We are coming to see that an expensive show has nothing to do with the love in our hearts.
More people are turning away from costly traditional funerals and are turning to low cost funerals. A traditional funeral will cost about $10,000 in most parts of the country and a basic funeral will cost around $1,500 or less. It wasn’t always so but funerals have become big business. No matter the economy people will always die and families want to have the best to show how much the loved one meant to them.
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Funeral homes encourage the grieving family to spend more than they can afford and it can take a poor family years to pay for the traditional funeral. Funeral homes take advantage of the situation to make big bucks. They encourage grieving families to choose the most expensive options and families feel disrespectful of the deceased if they don’t comply.
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But with this recession it may be time for people to look at other options. Tom Macksoud who runs Simple Funerals is one of those options. Macksoud worked for 20 years at one of those big funeral homes and finely bought one of his own in Lapeer, Mich. He became disenchanted with the business and eventually sold it. Last year he came up with a different idea and called it Simple Funerals. He runs it in a strip mall next to a dry cleaner. And all he needed was an office, computer, and a Chrysler Town and Country minivan to go back in business. He has a sitting room and in the back he has three coffins. They sell for $495 and if anyone wants something more expensive he sends them to Costco. He uses his vehicle as a hearse and sub contracts funeral home facilities to store and prepare the body. Business has exceeded his expectations.
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Outside Seattle, Barton Family Funeral Service changes $695 for cremation. “So many cultural aspects of funerals have been imposed by the industry,” says Craig Barton. “People have come to believe that spending a lot of money is the only way to go because that’s what the funeral industry told them.” As we get away from the idea that to spend huge amounts of money is the way to show our love and respect, more cremations are on the horizon. One third of all funerals last year were cremations.
28 Comments
You are so right, burying your loved ones is very expensive, however, I didn’t know that the cost has risen to $10,000, plus. I am also very happy to learn, through your article, that there are other alternatives, such a cremations, for much, much less. Thanks for sharing. The pictures are great also.
It’s about time someone came out with an alternative. Great article Ruby very informative
One way to help get past family paying those expenses is to prepay the funeral, and leave a firm will.
Yes, when my Aunt died last year she wanted a cremation because she thought funeral costs were crazy.
A very interesting article.
In this life we have to pay even when we die! Nice article
It’s hard enough dealing with losing someone without the added pressure of funeral expenses, Excellent article.
Hi Ruby!
This is not something that I’ve read about before. It is well written and practicle. I think sometimes because it’s the END of something, we put a lot of importance in making it a tribute of sorts. And, for me, the tribute is in the living moments that we share.
I didn’t know that funeral is a BIG business. And it actually can be managed in a LOW cost. Thanks for sharing.
Dead people doesn’t know that they have a costly funeral. They don’t care. The fact that they recieved a decsent burial It’s enough.
It’s about time people realized they don’t have to spend thousands and now have an alternative to Funeral home gouging. I hope Tom Macksoud has started a trend that will catch on.
This is a wonderful article, Ruby.
This is interesting to know. Funerals do seem to have got very expensive over the last few years. A good article.
Christine
I’m going to save my loved ones the expense as I refuse to die. Just kidding. This is great information. I wouldn’t want my family to go into debt so it’s nice to know there are less expensive options out there.
It is infuriating when there are people trying to rip you off in times of grief. Great article.
My father wants his ash’s thrown in the ocean. Neptune society 350 bucks. Nice
I hate it when these funeral homes take advantage of people who want to do the right thing and are pressured into doing more than they can afford. It is heartless and should be criminal. Thanks guys for leaving comments. I appreciate every one of you.
Lauren, my better half wants his ashes strewn along the river where we walk. He has the arrangement made for cremation.
For me it’s burn baby burn! Throw a party, forget the funeral!
Thanks,
Clay
Ruby,
We are usually like two peas in a pod on most issues. But, on this one I am going to have to cry nay. I do not like cremations at all. The idea of burning the body is not for me. Of course, if someone else doesnt mind, then more power to them. I just couldnt do it. I would rather finance the darn burial for the next twenty yrs LOL…..
Anyway, interesting subject.
You’re right, Ruby. ~So many people think they have to have fancy funerals to prove their love for their family.
God willing, and I live a full life, I want to be buried as cheaply as possible. I’d rather be loved when I’m alive.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this information.
i guess i never realized that funerals were so expensive!
Well, it’s good to know one has options when burying the dead.I don’t want to be cremated when I leave this Earth. Maybe I’ll change my mind later on.
Very interesting.
Thanks for this. Shopping around isa good idea for funerals..so many do not realize this. For some reason we keep it too personal.
Hi Ruby,
Nice article..for a lot of us this is informative too.
Thanx
A funeral is a sad time not to have to add this to it. Informative article. Well written.
wow Biz Covering looks great!
Anyhow I know first hand how much funerals can cost, when my first husband died – I knew he wanted a simple funeral. No real ceremony – just cremated and ashes shipped back to Wales. This VERY simple funeral cost $2500, which ironically is the EXACT same amount of money the government here gives low income families to cover funeral expenses. The cost of transporting the body from the hospital to the funeral home was alone $1200.
Death doesnt have to be costly, but it is, and it is because people want PROFIT!
If I die… they can put my body in plastic in a fetal position and display it in an art gallery somewhere.