Many readers of the End of Life Insights Professional Newsletter are in the position of helping people either plan funerals, or are frequently asked about funerals. One of the most common questions a client family will ask is, “How much does it cost to be buried?” Of course that’s like asking, “How much does it cost to get married?” There are so many variables in both scenarios that one dollar figure does not fit all.

A recently published survey by the National Funeral Directors Association lists sheds some insight on current traditional burial funeral costs. Now keep in mind that not every bride will have 250 guests and serve prime rib, and neither will every grieving family want a viewing, register book, or a metal casket. With that caveat; the national median cost for a funeral in the 2006 calendar year was $6,195. That doesn’t include cemetery costs (no, you can’t bury him in your backyard) or flowers (yes, you can pick those roses from your backyard).

Funerals are like anything else that you have to research and buy. Some people drive Lexus’, and others state with snobbery, “I wouldn’t drive a Lexus, even if I could afford one.” So what does that mean? People are different, and free to make their own choices. I don’t care if you drive a BMW, or an old Yugo; I’m not paying your insurance, gas, maintenance. What’s it to me? I feel the same way about a person’s right to choose what type of funeral ceremony they want; with the exception of doing absolutely nothing.

What’s really interesting about the number $6,195 is that before the casket is selected the figure is much lower, $3,930. Now let’s take these averages and remove everything that has to do with burial; the average figure falls to $1,948. That doesn’t include a service, a viewing prior to cremation, an urn, or the actual cremation fee for the crematory. What’s my point? Although some families will choose that $6,195 funeral, some families will also choose burial with no visitation, or a cloth covered casket. $6,195 really is just a number.

It’s important that your client families know they have options. Be careful about quoting a client a figure of $6,000 that they need to set aside for the funeral. They may need $10,000, or $1,000. Instead refer them to a few local funeral directors where they can determine what their funeral is going to cost based on what their actual needs are. Don’t scare people with big numbers like $10,000; but likewise, don’t sit in judgment of anyone who selects those services. Our funerals are personal; they reflect how we lived our lives, and what was important to us. Some people drive BMW’s, and some people drive Yugo’s. And yes, some people will spend $6,195 on their funeral.