Kansas City Townsend Law Firm

Losing a loved one unexpectedly can be financially devastating

On Behalf of | Aug 22, 2017 | Wrongful Death

The loss of a loved one is always a difficult experience. When you are left with having to arrange the final expenses, you might come to the sudden realization that this going to be a financially devastating endeavour.

There are a few things that you should know if you are having to make final arrangements. Here are some points to consider.

The cost of cremation versus burial

Typically, the cost of having a person cremated is less expensive than burial. This is true even if you are having a funeral for the individual. The average cost to have a person cremated and have a funeral is $6,078. The average cost of a funeral with burial is around $7,181. These are both for very basic services. It is often recommended that you budget closer to around $10,000 for a funeral so that you will be able to cover extra expenses that can come along with them.

Factors that impact the cost

There are many factors that can impact the cost of a funeral. In the case of one that includes a burial, the cost of the casket is a huge expense. A basic wooden casket is likely going to run around $2,000, but a more ornate casket can reach upwards of $10,000 by itself.

In the case of a cremation, the cost of a casket still has some limited impact on the cost. Many funeral homes allow you to rent a casket if you will have a viewing prior to the cremation. Direct cremations don’t require a casket at all. Instead, you can opt to use a wooden box. You then need to think about what type of urn you will use.

Embalming and other expenses

Embalming is usually required by the funeral home if there will be viewing. You usually won’t have to do this if the situation is a direct cremation. If you are having your loved one buried, find out if the cemetery requires a burial vault or liner. While these aren’t required by law, many cemeteries do require them.

Through a wrongful death lawsuit, you may be able to seek compensation if your loved one died due to someone else’s negligence.