Services and Expenses

What type of funeral is right for me?
You are the only person who can answer that question. However, like any other question you may have to answer, it is wise to seek information before giving a response. You might find it helpful to know the kinds of funerals generally available today.

The Traditional Funeral
In an era in which we live, defining anything with the word traditional in front of it is difficult. Everyone knows what it is, but no one can find the words to define it. We believe the important elements of a traditional funeral include a service or ceremony with the body present at a church, funeral home or other facility followed by a separate committal service at a cemetery or crematory. A traditional service may be preceded by a public or private viewing.

A Memorial Service
A memorial service is a service or ceremony at which the body is not present. Generally, when a memorial service is the choice, the body has been buried or cremated before the service is held. A memorial service may be preceded , on the same day or earlier, with private or public viewing and a public or private committal service.

Graveside Service
Some people choose to limit the funeral ceremony to a simple service at the graveside. A service of this kind can be held with a casket for full burial or an urn containing cremated remains. Again, a period of public or private viewing can be held prior to the graveside ceremony.

Direct Cremation or Burial
A direct cremation or burial is the way the simplest of arrangements are described. No funeral service of any kind is included and the cremation or burial takes place at the convenience of the funeral home and the cemetery or crematory. Family and friends may wish to plan and arrange for a service which does not include the body or cremated remains. We will offer guidance and assistance with the newspaper notices and obituaries at no additional cost.

What does a funeral cost?
Funerals are expensive, although not as costly as you may believe. The price of a funeral includes the charges for the services, facilities and equipment of the funeral home; merchandise, especially the casket, but may include cremation urns, burial vaults, and stationery items; and the honoraria paid to clergy and musicians, fees paid to cemeteries, newspapers and others who provide parts of the funeral. Our service charges range from just under $2,400.00 for a direct cremation or burial to about $5,000.00 for all the services that can be included in a traditional funeral with calling hours. The choices are yours to make.

The casket can be the single biggest expense and its price varies greatly. Our wood caskets range from about $1,900 to $6,000. We offer a wide array of both wood and protective metal selections. For example, we offer a protective metal casket for less than $2,000. Again, the choice is yours to make. Cemetery fees, honoraria, newspapers, flowers and other such expenses can total as much as $2,500.00 or more. Generally, families choose to pay the cemetery fees and florists at the time of the funeral, although they are frequently included in pre-funded arrangements.