Planning Ahead: Funeral Costs Can Be Surprising

By Carl A. Trapani, MA, MS, LPC, Chippewa Manor Campus Chaplain

If you think the cost of living has gone up – just consider the cost of dying! The actual final cost for an average funeral in a city the size of Eau Claire, La Crosse, Beloit, or Green Bay, Wisconsin is between $15,000 and $22,000.  It is not uncommon to exceed $25,000 for families choosing traditional burial and a permanent monument. 

Here are current average funeral total costs in rural Wisconsin:

• Cremation with services: about $6,000–$10,000

• Traditional burial: about $15,000–$22,000

• Traditional burial with a substantial monument and luncheon: $20,000–$30,000+ 

Most of us have seen the advertisements.  A reassuring voice says: "For just pennies a day, you can protect your family from funeral expenses."  The commercial usually shows smiling grandparents, concerned children, and a promise that your loved ones won't be burdened with expenses.  It sounds simple and forthright – “If you buy our funeral expense insurance for only such-in-such a month,” you might assume that all your funeral needs will be covered and paid for.  But that isn’t usually the way it really works. 

Many seniors are surprised to discover that "funeral insurance plans for pennies a day" refer to small benefit policies or graded-benefit plans. A policy paying $5,000 may sound substantial until families discover that a traditional funeral and burial cost approximately $7,000-$12,000 plus. Cemetery expenses are separate from funeral expenses and cost several thousand dollars more. Monument and grave markers are also separate expenses and cost several thousands more! As a result, families will face significant out-of-pocket costs despite having funeral insurance. 

Most funeral homes advertise and promote a basic service package for a relatively low cost. But get ready for a surprise when you discover just how basic this service package is. It usually includes four things: administrative services, filing paperwork, coordination of funeral arrangements, and some basic staff services. The base price is just the starting point. After that, everything is an add-on. 

Families quickly discover that a quoted price grows considerably as additional services are added. Consider a hypothetical example.  A family hears that a funeral package costs $4,995. That sounds manageable. Then additional expenses appear: Embalming, evening visitation, hearse, memorial folders, cemetery charges, grave opening and closing, vault, headstone and so on…

Suddenly the final bill is thousands of dollars higher than originally expected. The funeral home may not be doing anything improper; many of these charges are legitimate services. The surprise comes when families assume the advertised price includes everything – but it doesn’t! Purchasing a funeral can feel a lot like buying a car at a low-advertised price.  As you begin to close the deal, you discover that the advertised price doesn't include tires, seats, or a steering wheel! It’s quite a shock when a quoted base price grows to over double as additional items and services are added. 

I realize none of us like to think about funerals. We would rather think about grandchildren, vacations, holidays, and enjoying the years God has given us. Yet planning for funeral expenses is one of the kindest gifts we can leave our families. That is why it’s important to be informed and plan ahead.

While current advertising and commercials imply funeral costs to be between $7,000 to $10,000; the truth is – the average funeral in Wisconsin costs more than twice that amount! This is because the funeral home base package does NOT usually include things like: 

• Funeral home services 

• Funeral ceremony facilities/church fees 

• Hearse transportation of the deceased 

• Embalming

• Dressing and preparation of the body

• Use of viewing rooms

• Limousine service for the family 

• Casket or urn

• Cemetery plot

• Grave opening and closing

• Cemetery fees

• Grave liner or vault

• Headstone or marker

• Flowers

• Flower stand at the cemetery 

• Obituary notices 

• Clergy honorarium 

• Printed memorial folders

• Guest books

• Reception or meal 

• Death certificates

• Portrait and/or video life history of the deceased

Why Planning Helps

Planning ahead does not hasten death. It simply prepares for an event that eventually comes to every one of us. When plans are in place, your family members will know your wishes. Financial burdens are reduced. Disagreements are less likely, because important decisions have already been made. Funeral planning is an act of love and responsibility you can give to your family.

The important thing is that your family knows what you want. Many seniors avoid talking about funeral plans because they think it will upset their children. Actually, most adult children are relieved when parents discuss these matters. A simple conversation can provide tremendous peace of mind.

After having a discussion with your family, put all important information in one place.  Keep important information like insurance policies, funeral plans, cemetery deeds, financial and legal documents and contact information together. Tell a trusted family member where these records are located. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing a document exists but not knowing where to find it. Be sure one or two trusted people know the location of these documents.  

Funeral planning is not really about death and money. It is about love. It is about lifting a burden from the shoulders of those who will miss us most. It is one last opportunity to say, "I cared about you enough to prepare."  That may be one of the greatest gifts we ever leave behind. We cannot avoid death, but we can prepare for it wisely.  A little planning today can spare our families confusion, expense, and stress tomorrow.  And that is a legacy of love worth leaving.

Carl Trapani, MA, MS, LPC serves as campus Chaplain at Chippewa Manor. He has more than 50 years of pastoral service and professional counseling experience. For more information please call (715) 723-4437 or email him at carl.trapani@chippewamanor.com.