Thinking about money is the last thing you want to do after the death of a loved one, but you have to make a decision about their final disposition. For centuries, burial was the most common choice, but in recent years cremation has become quite popular. It’s easier and less expensive than a traditional burial that often comes with a long list of extra fees that most people don’t expect.
With that said, here’s a closer look at the financial aspect of each option.
Burial usually costs more than cremation
Many people mistakenly think that when a loved one dies, they just need to buy a casket and pay a funeral home fee for the burial. In reality, a burial comes with a long list of expenses which often cost more than a used car.
The cost of a burial can exceed the cost of a cremation by thousands of dollars, depending on the options you choose. For example, adding a viewing to a funeral will increase the funeral home’s fees, and choosing a high-end casket or headstone can cause the total cost to increase significantly over cremation. The most expensive item is the coffin.
A casket will be your biggest expense
If you are choosing a traditional burial, you will need a casket. Although coffins are primarily a cultural tool that provides a dignified way to transport bodies, they are also practical. A casket, along with the grave liner, prevents the soil from collapsing under the weight of the lawn mower and other heavy equipment used to maintain the cemetery grounds. Because of this, most cemeteries require both a casket and a grave, and that’s where funeral homes make a lot of money. Where you buy a casket matters. If you buy one from a funeral home, you can expect to pay a substantial price. You will save more money buying directly from the manufacturer.
The cost of a burial plot varies by location
After calculating the cost of the casket, you will need to be strategic about the burial plot. It makes sense to bury your loved one close by so you can visit, but the cost of burial plots varies considerably and it’s worth shopping around. For example, the average plot in a rural area can cost between $500 and $5,000, but in certain metropolitan areas the cost can reach between $9,000 and $20,000. It all depends on where the plot is located. Private gardens and premium parks will come at a higher price.
At the end of the day, a basic funeral can cost you between $10,000 and $15,000. When you compare that cost to cremation, you’ll understand why more people are skipping traditional burials.
Cremation costs less than burial even with extras
Compared to traditional burials that come with a host of expenses and fees, cremation is much simpler and much more affordable. Although you can still choose a funeral and viewing if it’s in your budget, a direct cremation is less expensive. In this case, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for direct cremation plus the cost of the urn, which is much less than even the simplest burial. If you want to offer a memorial service, it will cost more, but it will still be less than a funeral. For example, cremation with a memorial service can cost you between $3,000 and $7,000 in total.
The value of burnout extends beyond saving money
As with any big decision, cost is a factorbut there is another benefit to burning. In fact, many people choose cremation so they can hold their loved one’s ashes to honor them in various ways. For example, many people have a piece of ashes embedded in jewelry or made into the paint used by an artist to create a memorial painting.
“When a family chooses cremation, they’re not just choosing the lowest-cost option, they’re choosing the flexibility that allows them to honor a life in a personal way.” says Susan Fraser, founder of In The Light Urns, who has guided families through memorial decisions since 2001.
“I’ve worked with thousands of families balancing budgets with meaning. Cremation usually costs far less than a traditional funeral. There’s no plot to buy, no vault fees, none of the added expenses that drive funeral costs so high. Families can put that change toward a custom or memorial urn that actually reflects the person. It doesn’t replace financial grief, so it can begin.”
After all, cchoosing between burial and cremation is a financial and personal choice. Whether you choose a traditional burial or cremation, you don’t have to spend a fortune on closure.
Photo by Sandy Millar: Unsplash
