So really - how much does the average funeral end up costing? That's a loaded question with no easy answer.
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The average funeral cost varies quite a bit depending on your economic status, your religion, and what state you live in. It also depends on whether you want a cremation or a full casket ceremony...
It also depends on whether or not you have funeral insurance.
If you type into a search engine: "how much does a funeral cost" you'll get some pretty telling figures. After a quick search, I found that $7000 was a pretty good ceiling (although some funerals are much more expensive than that).
Wait! How much does a funeral cost?
Didn't know that a funeral could cost so much? Join the club. There seems to be a huge difference between how much a funeral does cost and how much a funeral should cost. Luckily, there are options available that will help you bring the average funeral cost down quite a bit.
Many families opt for cremation; this is usually substantially more affordable than a full ceremony. At $1000, it isn't cheap per se, but it won't hurt the wallet as much as a casket ceremony might.
Then there's funeral insurance.
What's funeral insurance?
Although policies vary from company to company, funeral insurance allows you to secure the full ceremony, space, and casket at a fixed price. This price won't increase with inflation or other external circumstances.
If you purchase a package today and live for another 50 years, you'll end up paying 2004 prices?not 2054 prices. It's a smart move to be sure. However, it's very important to shop around and compare policies.
Remember, when you buy insurance, you're also paying a commission to the insurance salesperson. Make certain that you receive a fair and affordable price. Comparing online funeral insurance premiums will help you decide on the best coverage and company for you.
About the Author
Austin Brentley is an English teacher currently living and working in Yamaguchi, Japan. His previous experience includes working for a lobbying firm, in his native Washington, DC and for various record and television studios in New York. Austin holds a B.A. in history from Harvard University.
