Funeral Homes
Understanding Funeral Home Costs
If you are working with a funeral home to plan a funeral or memorial service, the cost of the funeral can be divided into three main categories: basic service fees, costs of additional services or materials, and cash advancements.
At Bergen Funeral Service, our team at our funeral home in NJ understands how difficult a loss can be, and approaches funeral arrangements with compassion and dignity.
Basic service charge
The basic service fee, sometimes referred to as “funeral director and staff basic services”, is for the services required for the funeral homes and the costs associated with those services. Basic service and basic service charges cannot be determined, but vary from company to company. In general, “basic services” include:
- Submit necessary documents
- Secure necessary permission and copy of death certificate
- Properly store the remains
- Coordinate arrangements with cemeteries, crematoriums, or other third parties
- Expenses related to funeral facilities and management
For burial and cremation, the basic service fee is a flat fee and does not change regardless of the type of arrangement you choose. However, there are four cases with different basic service charges. They include:
- When the only function of the funeral homes is to receive the remains
- If the only function of the funeral is to transfer the body
- If you are planning a direct burial
- If planning direct cremation
In these four cases, basic service charges may be lower than normal basic service charges. However, some funeral homes may charge a fixed basic service fee for all services including the above four. Note that in many funeral homes, basic service charges are often used as a price indicator, so basic service charges try to be quite low. However, funeral homes may compensate for the decrease in basic service fees at high prices for goods and services.
Additional services and goods
Additional services and items offered by the facade are available at an additional cost and are at your discretion. These goods and services may include:
- Antiseptic or cosmetic preparation of the body
- Use a hall or cemetery hall to visit or visit, fun or commemorative events
- Use a hearse, limousine or other means of transport
- Coffin, burial container or
- Funeral dress
You can decide whether to purchase all other goods and services at your discretion. According to the Federal Trade Commission's funeral rules, you have the right to purchase any goods elsewhere, and the funeral home may not charge you for the use of these goods. However, many fun museums will require certain services based on the service you choose. For example, if you choose to watch or visit, the home may ask you to pre-treat your body.
Cash advance
Cash advances are fees charged by the hall for any goods or services they may purchase on behalf of you from third-party suppliers. These goods and services can include:
- Graveyard or cremation fee
- Compensation for clergy or other service officials
- Musicians, including organists, pianists and soloists
- Car rental, including limousine and police escort
- Report fee
- Flowers
Some funeral homes may charge you for these items, while others may charge an additional fee above the cost of these items. If the home charges you for an additional service fee, although it is not required to disclose the amount of the fee, the law requires them to disclose it to you. They must also notify you of any discounts or refunds received from the supplier for any prepayments.
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