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J9-13
We're gonna be big sisters!
Member since 6/06 14887 total posts
Name:
J9
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
I would think at LEAST $8,000
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Posted 7/2/10 12:08 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Posted by christinec2010
DH paid up near $15K for his dads & he already had the plot.
My mom's was $14k and we also had the plot already 
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| Posted 7/2/10 12:10 PM |
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SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Dani,
All posts aside, the total cost varies depending upon the services needed.
The funeral directors are also required to give you a price list, so you know what the hairdressing, cosmetology, dressing, embalming costs are. What are the costs for the viewing, per day, per session.
Casket, liner, any name plaque for the casket.
If you need a limo in addition to a hearse. Distance travelled is also calcuated in.
Priest/pastor/reverend/rabbi charge their own fees.
Church is an additional fee.
Your figure of $9k sounds about average.
Sorry for your loss. 
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| Posted 7/2/10 12:24 PM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
10,000 is about normal or average, give or take.
it all depends on what services you need provided and which casket, etc you choose. Some are a lot more than others.
Banks usually have burial fund accounts so that people can save money for this expense for when their time comes. But a lot of people don't realize how much it is and usually don't know about the different ways to save for it because it's a morbid topic.
I agree though... it can be a bit surprising.
I'm very sorry for your loss. 
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| Posted 7/2/10 1:00 PM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
I cannot believe there's actually drama on a thread like this.
That's what's "sickening".
It's not necessary to try to debate or prove why it costs so much and it's also not necessary to compare it to the cost of a wedding or anything else. Not on a thread like this.
Message edited 7/2/2010 1:05:43 PM.
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| Posted 7/2/10 1:03 PM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Posted by MrsKS
I cannot believe there's actually drama on a thread like this.
That's what's "sickening".
It's not necessary to try to debate or prove why it costs so much and it's also not necessary to compare it to the cost of a wedding or anything else. Not on a thread like this.
ITA
So sorry for your loss
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| Posted 7/2/10 1:47 PM |
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Gatsbygirl
Please St. Therese....
Member since 10/07 8494 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Posted by maybesoon
Posted by tarabelle99
I know people find it "sickening" that a funeral costs so much but the people who are embalming/preparing your loved one have to have specific training regarding how your loved one is handled. DH is in school for this right now, and has worked in the industry for a few years now. There's many laws and procedures that need to be followed. They are governed by state AND federal laws (they are one of the few industries heavily regulated by the FTC)
Embalmers, Funeral Directors don't work for free. DH is working today, one of MANY people who are working a service. You have your funeral director who assists in assuring that you get what is needed. You have the folks at the door that help greet and direct your loved ones to the right room, make sure that you have tissues, etc. Someone has to go pick up the body at the morgue or your home, someone has do the makeup and hair, dress the body, embalm etc if there is a viewing. Someone needs to drive the hearse to the church and cemetery, and usually immediate family wants to follow in a limo, which again, doesn't drive itself.
There's overhead, too. The electric company isn't cutting the funeral home a break because of the service they provide. Neither is the town on property taxes, the bank on the mortgage, their insurers for the home, cars, business..... Hearses and Limos aren't cheap, they require maintenance and gas and drivers. And you ask that all of this be arranged for you at a moment's notice (most of us don't plan our death date.............) and have them at your disposal for 2+ days.
Amazing that no one bats an eye at dropping 25K on a wedding or at spending thousands on baptism parties, sweet 16s, bar/bat mitzvahs ... and those don't normally expose the people you're paying to arrange and service you to all sorts of things like bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis etc) and toxic carcinogens (formaldehyde and other icky chemicals used for embalming).
this whole post was very Unnecessary. Not appropriate for this original post
I actually thought this was very informative and something I had not thought about it. It was in no way innaoppropriate, but interesting and helpful.
I know Nassau CC has the program for mortuary science and it is competitive to get into invovles a lot of science.
I am glad for this helpful post and in no way should the poster be made to feel it was wrong to do so!
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| Posted 7/2/10 2:33 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
I am pretty sure we paid 9K for my moms 6 years ago. This included a 2 day wake, and purchasing of a double plot in a small local cemetery.
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| Posted 7/2/10 4:16 PM |
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Sassyz75
Turning a new page
Member since 5/05 9731 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
yes it is super duper expensive...
then you have the after- luncheon which is customer- depending upon how many people, another 2k or so..
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| Posted 7/2/10 4:37 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
My dads 2 yrs ago was somewhere around 13K and included 2 days of wake, plot was already paid for and no limos or hertz were used. Headstone is an additional like 5K or something crazy like that!
I know when we went we were all in shock and greiving and I think sometimes that can be taken advantage of, like when we looked at caskets. They show you these incredibly expensive options and it is hard to stay in reality at such a hard time.
I am sure it is not an easy business to be in as you are on call 24-7 but it is a business
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| Posted 7/2/10 5:32 PM |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Posted by JenMarie
I paid $12k for my grandmother's funeral, which was just the 2 day wake, prep fees, casket, engraving on plot, church, burial, etc. Luckily we didn't have to buy her plot because she already had one. It's sickening how much funerals cost.
my grandmas estate paid $11K for everything above and a plot and the after funeral meal.
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| Posted 7/2/10 6:23 PM |
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MarathonKnitter
HAPPY
Member since 2/07 17374 total posts
Name:
EMBRACING CHANGE
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
i'm sorry for your loss 
putting $9000 on ANYTHING would make me ask to double-check.
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| Posted 7/2/10 6:47 PM |
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KittyGags
LIF Adult
Member since 7/09 5614 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
I know my aunt paid $25k for my uncles wake (2 days), funeral and plot....
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| Posted 7/2/10 6:58 PM |
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julz33
i run for bacon
Member since 5/05 20584 total posts
Name:
julz
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
My moms was more than that.
The wake for 3 days, church, cemetery fees, flowers, casket, the purchase of her burial place (one of those drawer things) and to pay for lunch after the funeral was $25K.
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| Posted 7/2/10 6:58 PM |
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drpepper318
MIR MIR MIR!
Member since 6/07 8274 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
over $10K
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| Posted 7/2/10 7:11 PM |
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2girlsforme
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3071 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXX
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
In my experience (and unfortunately my husband and I have each buried a parent in the last 12 monts), the actual cost is closer to 15K and that was with the plots already paid for.
I'm so sorry for your loss
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| Posted 7/2/10 10:02 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
DH is in the life insurance business and regularly counsels clients in the need to have at least a small whole life policy to cover burial costs so loved ones are not burdened with the cost.
To the OP - I'm sorry for your loss and I hope the cost isn't a burden for your family on top of everything else you're going through right now. The cost you mentioned does sound in line with the average, even on the lower end.
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| Posted 7/3/10 12:12 AM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
I am very sorry for your loss.
I know when FIL passed away in 2008 that he had just enough insurance to cover the cost of his final expenses. (Somewhere around $15,000)
I do want to let you know that we were harrassed by the funeral home for payment. Although we signed a contract that payment would be made within 60 days, and made a cash downpayment, they began harrassing my husband AT THE WAKE for more money. I have never been so angry in my life. I went right into the office and explained that they already had the life insurance policies, a downpayment, and all the info they needed. I told them I was appalled that they would be demanding money from a man that was burying his father. Luckily, they backed off at the wake.
But then we began getting calls at our house LESS THAN ONE WEEK after the funeral asking if we had the insurance check yet. DH was numb. He just lost his father and this funeral home was begging for money. They called a few days in a row, but we kept missing it and getting the messages. 
Finally, I called them up and threatened legal action. They had no right to demand money so soon, especially with a downpayment and all the insurance info. What insurance pays within one week?
We will never, ever deal with that funeral home again. We assume that they are out of the norm, but I wanted to let you know that you do have rights during the first few weeks after a loved ones passing. And please, read what you sign! And ask for copies to keep at home. Our funeral home seemed to want to contest the 60 days, although we both signed off on it. 
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| Posted 7/3/10 3:05 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
It cost $11k to bury my father in 2005. It cost $13k to bury my mother 3 years later. Jewish funerals do not have the body embalmed, however there are cultural and ritualistic services involved that are rather costly. The costs came right off the top of their estates when they were settled.
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| Posted 7/3/10 8:19 AM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Posted by waterspout4
I do want to let you know that we were harrassed by the funeral home for payment. Although we signed a contract that payment would be made within 60 days, and made a cash downpayment, they began harrassing my husband AT THE WAKE for more money. I have never been so angry in my life. I went right into the office and explained that they already had the life insurance policies, a downpayment, and all the info they needed. I told them I was appalled that they would be demanding money from a man that was burying his father. Luckily, they backed off at the wake.
But then we began getting calls at our house LESS THAN ONE WEEK after the funeral asking if we had the insurance check yet. DH was numb. He just lost his father and this funeral home was begging for money. They called a few days in a row, but we kept missing it and getting the messages.
Unfortunately, just like any other business, there are unscrupulous people in the funeral industry too. DH has had funeral homes call him (he's an insurance agent) asking about the amount of a clients policy and asking that he send paperwork and they'll submit the claim. That's always a red flag of caution for him and he's gone with widows to funeral homes more than once to help negotiate the costs. He's seen too many situations where they want to know the amount of the policy because that's coincidentally just how much the funeral will cost. He just assures them that there is enough to cover the services without revealing the total amount available.
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| Posted 7/3/10 2:13 PM |
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
Is this a bad time to mention that the Social Security death benefit is only a one time payment of $255? I know that a lot of people think that the trust fund is running out of money but a $255 death benefit is not even enough to encourage families to properly report deaths to SSA. People have failed to report deaths because they wanted to continue to (fraudulently) collect retirement or disability checks from Social Security. The $255 death benefit is only for people who have paid into the system. It is time to increase it. This does not include possible monthly Survivors Benefits but those are not intended for funeral expenses.
ETA: The the OP. Sorry for your loss. I have heard prices like the ones quoted in this thread but it still surprises me every time.
Message edited 7/3/2010 9:31:17 PM.
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| Posted 7/3/10 9:25 PM |
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justme4u
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 575 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know Average cost of a funeral?
I buried both of my parents and my FIL within the last 10 years. They all cost around 14 thousand. This was for funeral burial and 2 day wake also and a limo and hearse and flowers.
I was shocked the first time we buried my mom. I was a little more prepared the second and third times. It's very hard to go through. I am very sorry for your loss.
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| Posted 7/3/10 10:13 PM |
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