A Complete Understanding of Funeral Pricing

Funerals can be expensive, particularly if you want personalized services. Many people don't know what's included in funeral costs. At Arbutus Funeral Service, we have seen that often they pick services they might not need.

The Cost Breakup

That's why we're here to educate you on prices so that you can prepare your budget better. Here’s what you can be included:

1. Basic Service Fee

You have to pay this fee to the funeral director for the services rendered. It applies to overhead and basic costs. Plans vary from one funeral home to another, so you need to clarify your expectations with the funeral director and get an estimate before you engage their services. In certain cases, the simple package will include:

• Filing the papers
• Acquiring copies of the death certificate
• Get the requisite permits
• Storage of the remains
• Costs of overheads
• Working with the crematorium, cemetery or other third party vendors

These are the regular expenditures. Only where the funeral home specially performs the forwarding or receipt of the remains will these charges change.

2. Additional Services

There are additional services that the funeral home can provide, but you can opt for them only if required. If you want a basic funeral, the standard package is enough and there is no need to employ extra services. These services can include:

• Embalming
• Viewing or memorial service at the funeral home
• Use funeral home service with a hearse or a limousine
• Containers such as urns, caskets, or burial boxes
• Burial clothes

These services are offered by the funeral home, although they are discretionary. You may contact other suppliers for them, but it is always more practical to let a funeral home do it. The establishment would require you to pay cash advances for the third-party services such as cemetery or graveyard use, clergy or celebrant, singers, flowers, etc.

For any information on our customized funeral services, feel free to call Arbutus Funeral Service and our funeral director will help plan and organize a service befitting of your loved one.