Understanding Funeral Expenses

The death of a loved one is tragic enough on its own. This is a time when family and friends come together to remember the deceased individual and pay their respects. However, the outrageous funeral expenses may only increase the suffering, as families wonder how they will pay for the enormous costs.

Statistics provided by the National Funeral Directors Association demonstrate that the average cost of an adult funeral was $6,560 in 2009. Of course, this price is determined due to a number of different factors, and depending on the type of funeral planned for the loss of your loved one.

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys believe that if a family member has been killed due to the negligent actions of another individual, the victim’s family may be eligible to receive compensation for funeral expenses, pain and suffering, loss of wages and property damages.

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The Many Expenses Of Funerals

Following the death of a loved one, we may notice that there are a number of funeral expenses that may not have been accounted for. These expenses are typically outrageous, yet we must pay for these expenses in order for our loved one to receive a proper funeral.

Some common funeral expenses include:

• Body Transportation: $625
• Casket: $2,300
• Embalming & Body Preparation: $600
• Funeral Ceremony: $450
• Funeral Directors Fees: $1,400
• Grave Digger Fee: $500
• Grave Site: $1,000
• Headstone: $1,500
• Other Expenses: $500
• Visitation Ceremony: $400

Of course, these numbers are based off of a traditional funeral service. Thus, the numbers may vary depending on the type of funeral you choose for the death of your loved one.

A Variety Of Funerals Are Covered

There are several different types of funerals that an individual may choose from. These funerals can depend on religion, cultural traditions, personal preferences and a family’s budget. Funerals can also range in size from large or small and have many added features.

Some common types of funerals include:

Traditional Funeral

Traditional funerals are the most common type of funeral. These funerals typically offer viewing, a formal service, a hearse to transport the body, and a cemetery burial. Of course, this is also the most expensive type of funeral as the price of a casket, transportation, grave site and services are included in the overall cost.

Direct Burial

Direct burial is when a family selects to bury the body following the death of their loved one. This usually occurs in a modest container, while visitation and viewing are not allowed, thus embalming is not necessary. Of course, the family may hold a memorial service at the grave site for an additional price.

Direct Cremation

A direct cremation is when the body is cremated following the death of a loved one. The remains are then placed in an urn or container, scattered, placed in a crypt or kept at home. Extra fees may be charged if the funeral home does not own a crematory.

In some cases, families may not have much time to properly plan for a funeral, thus placing added stress on these individuals on top of the loss of their loved one. Thus, our attorneys are here to help individuals during this unfortunate time.

How To Pay For A Funeral

Oftentimes, an individual will overspend on a funeral due to the believe that the amount of money spent on a funeral reflects how much they cared for the deceased individual. However, individuals can take the burden off other family members by recognizing how to pay for these funeral expenses.

Some ways to pay for a funeral include:

Direct Payment

If there are no funds in the deceased’s estate, a friend or family member may pay for their funeral. Otherwise, if there is no one close to this individual who can afford the funeral, the local government may help take care of these arrangements. Of course, this funeral will typically be done in the most inexpensive way possible.

Paying Through an Estate

Paying through an estate means that a funeral can be paid by selling the assets of that individual. However, these funds will typically not be immediately available, thus may need to be initially provided by another individual. Of course, once the estate is settled, the payee will receive a full refund of costs.

Prepaying

Prepaying for a funeral is becoming more popular. This is simply a fund set up that gradually accumulates to pay for a funeral once an individual passes away. The funds from this account will become available to a funeral home once the proof of death has been provided.

Our attorneys recommend planning ahead to avoid any unexpected costs of a funeral. This will also assist your family members in paying for a funeral, taking the burden of these expenses out of their hands at such an unfortunate time.

To Seek Compensation, Speak To Us For Free

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have over 140 years of combined legal experienced and have the knowledge to guide you safely through the litigation process. Our attorneys will fight for the maximum compensation benefits available for the loss of your loved one and obtain the justice that is deserved.

We have offices in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury and New London, and serve clients throughout Connecticut.

To learn more about our attorneys, we invite you to call us today at 800-PERKINS, where a member of our intake team will take the details about your case, then connect you with one of our helpful attorneys. All of our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that we will not charge you for our services unless we recover for you.

Alternatively, complete the Free Case Evaluation form on this page – It’s that easy.