DON'T BURY YOUR MONEY !

                           by Alexandra K. Mosca

     Nobody wants to do business with the funeral director. Unfortunately, arranging a funeral is a task that virtually all of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives. And the better prepared we are in advance, the easier it will be when the time comes. All funeral homes are required by law to furnish their prices to you over the phone and in person by a printed price list. Prices vary, as do alternatives to the "traditional" funeral, which includes embalming, open casket visitation and earth burial. So if a death is impending, it is to your advantage to call or visit several establishments for prices and options. There is nothing disrespectful about this. As in all transactions, you deserve the best value for your money.

    From my experience, the following are twelve sure ways to cut the high cost of a funeral.

 

1) CONSIDER CREMATION

   The cost of cremation is approximately one third less than the  price of a grave opening. And if you don't already own cemetery property, the savings is even more substantial, since burial plots generally cost upwards of $1,500.

 

2) OMIT THE OUTER BURIAL VAULT

   Vaults which are available in steel or concrete, are generally not required by most cemeteries. The casket offers sufficient protection from the outside elements.

  

3) PUT A LIMIT ON FLOWERS

   Many cemeteries only accept a limited number of floral pieces.     Instead of each family member sending an individual piece, pool your resources and send one or two. In lieu of flowers, suggest visitors send contributions to a favorite charity.

 

4) DRIVE YOUR OWN CAR

   Instead of costly limousines, take your own car to the religious     service and cemetery, which are often nearby. These days almost everyone drives and funeral attendee's can carpool.

 

5) HAVE THE DECEASED DRESSED IN THEIR OWN CLOTHING

   Instead of purchasing costly "burial" clothing from the funeral     home use favorite outfit which had meaning. If you must buy  something new, consider an off-price store such as TJMaxx, Loehmanns or Marshalls.

 

6) LIMIT THE VISITATION PERIOD OR OPT FOR NO VIEWING

   Long visitation periods (two & three days) are becoming a thing of the past; one day is common. And often people have moved or passed away and there are few people available to attend the visitation. In many cases, a religious service and burial or cremation, without viewing serves the mourners well.

 

7) DO NOT BE LURED BY EXPENSIVE CASKETS

   Choose a casket in a price range you feel comfortable with. Most people choose a particular casket for personal reasons, such as     color or decoration. Remember this is a major purchase which will soon either be buried or cremated. One casket is as dignified as another, regardless of price.

 

8) DO WITHOUT FRILLS

   Memorial cards, metal plates with the deceased's' name, and  obituaries are often not necessary.

 

9) CONSIDER DIRECT BURIAL OR DIRECT CREMATION

   The remains are taken from the place of death to the crematory or cemetery with no preparation and no services. This is the least expensive mode of disposition.

 

10) USE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS PALLBEARERS

    Not only is there a monetary savings, this adds a personal touch as well.

 

11) BE BURIED HERE

    Many immigrants desire to be returned to their former homeland  upon their death. The combined cost of the airfare charges and the foreign consulate requirements make this an expensive undertaking.

 

12) MAKE A PRE-ARRANGEMENT

    Pre-arranging a funeral before a death has occurred allows for      well thought out decisions not colored by emotion.

  

 @Alexandra K. Mosca 2001

Alexandra K. Mosca has been a funeral director for twenty years and is the licensed manager of the Hellenic Funeral Home in Queens. She has appeared on talk shows across the country, written a newspaper column on funeral related matters, and lectured to religious, civic and educational groups in an effort to educate the public about the funeral business. Most recently she has completed her autobiography entitled "Grave Undertakings" about her life as a funeral director.