Funeral Costs

How do your costs compare to other funeral firms in our area?

We believe our professional service fees fall "somewhere in the middle" when compared with other firms in our area. However, what we feel is more important to our community is value. When choosing a funeral home, it is important to consider reputation, staff, services and facilities.

What are your payment options, both pre-need and at need?

Our pre-need payment options are explained in our Advanced Planning section. Our at need payment options are explained in our Funeral Options section.

Have government burial allowances been eliminated?

Allowances are still available, but fewer people are entitled to receive them.

Social Security continues to provide a burial allowance payable to the surviving spouse or minor children of a deceased worker. And the Veterans Administration has a number of benefits for those who qualify and apply for them.

For example, those receiving VA pensions or compensation and veterans who die in a VA hospital or nursing facility are qualified. Transportation allowances are provided as well. Other benefits include a grave or urn site, and a memorial marker for the veteran and spouse.

We file all the necessary applications as part of our standard service. And we are always available to answer your questions about specific benefits. We're here to serve you. There is no obligation.

How much do funerals really cost?

Funeral costs are determined by the services and merchandise requested by the consumer. Costs may range from below $1,000 for immediate disposition services to several thousand dollars depending on the type of services and merchandise selected.

Traditional Funeral costs have increased no faster than the consumer price index for other consumer items. 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.

Our family has limited or no funds available for funeral expenses; what can we do to protect ourselves from this problem?

First of all, we are here to help you and your family with situations like this. It is best to deal with this problem before a death should occur. We offer convenient and affordable payment programs through our life (burial) insurance program. Payment amounts can be designed to fit everyone's budget and can be less than $20.00 per month.

There are burial benefits available through government programs such as social security, veteran's administration and public assistance. Unfortunately, they are only available to those who qualify for them and these benefits do not cover entire funeral expenses. We can explain the benefits available and their eligibility requirements.

If the family is going to want a funeral service of some type, then the financial burden will fall upon them. We have helped many families with situations like this because they called us before hand.