the Cost of Funeral Homes

This is the cost of a wake, Catholic funeral, and burial. It included a one-day wake - with two two hour viewings, the embalming and the necessary cosmetic and hair styling work. The casket, prayer cards, thank you cards, and register were also incuded in that price. This fee also covered the entire funeral: the hearse, transportation to the church, pallbearers, organist, singer, and priest, and transfer to the cemetary. This also covered opening the grave, and engraving on the existing tombstone the name of the deceased. There also was a graveside service that was included in the price. We did not have to pay for the grave as we already had the deed to one, so this price did not include the actual gravesite or tombstone.

Considering the circumstances we were very pleased with the service we received. The funeral director and his assistant were available to us at all times and made our burden a little lighter by handling phone calls, giving directions, and offering us any assistance we needed during the wake and funeral. The funeral home allowed us to sign over a life insurance policy so that we did not have to lay out the cash immediately.

A wake and funeral are far more expensive than most people realize. Be aware that there are numerous additional charges. In New York, there are several "extras", fees that frankly I'm still not sure what they were for. Do not be taken aback by the lengthy sheet of paper where they figure out all of your costs. It almost looks like you are buying a new car! In addition, be prepared to make a lot of decisiona about things like prayer cards, readings for the church (depending on your religion), musical selections, and the like. It can be quite overwhelming. As morbid as it sounds, if you can make advance arrangements before the person passes, it makes things a lot easier.