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Funeral Costs A funeral service, in its broadest sense, includes all of the professional services of the funeral director and the staff, the use of the facilities, motor vehicles, and desired merchandise. The total cost will vary according to your own selections.
The funeral director will freely explain the entire range of pricing for all of the items of the service and will encourage you to select only those services and merchandise which you desire. He or she will also share your concern that the items you select are appropriate and within your means.
Talk frankly with your funeral director about costs and feel free to consult the funeral home to obtain pricing information at any time. Every effort will be made to accommodate you with a method of payment that will be responsive to your particular circumstances.
Financial Assistance You may be surprised to learn about potential sources of financial assistance for your family: U.S. Social Security/Canada Pension Benefits If the deceased was qualified by having an adequate wage earning record, certain death, funeral, and survivor benefits may be available. Additional Information Department of Veterans Affairs (U.S.) It is possible to obtain funds to help pay funeral and burial expenses of United States veterans. If the death occurs in a VA Hospital, certain additional travel costs are allowable. You may also obtain a U.S. flag for the casket, and a government headstone is also available. Interment without cost in a U.S. National Cemetery can be arranged if certain requirements are met. In some cases, the widow or survivor may also receive further benefits. Additional Information Department of Veterans Affairs (Canada) Certain benefits are available in Canada under the Department of Veterans Affairs Funeral Grant. Your funeral director can assist with application. Additional Information Union or Employer Pension Funds These funds sometimes help to defray funeral costs. They may also allow a pension for the survivor. Additional Information Insurance Life, health, and accident policies should be examined for benefits. Sometimes, medical benefits from automobile insurance policies can be applied to funeral expenses. Your insurance agent or funeral director will assist in filing normal claims. Additional Information Fraternal Orders or Professional Groups Funds may be available to you. These groups should be notified, and your funeral director can help. Additional Information Worker’s Compensation Certain benefits may be available if the cause of death is related to the deceased’s employment. Laws and regulations may vary, but your funeral director can refer you to the correct sources of information. Additional Information Are funerals expensive? When compared to other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.), these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details.
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English Funeral Chapel & Crematory