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How do we support the dead and their families?

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How do we support the dead and their families?

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How does the Catholic Church help the dead and their families?

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How does the Catholic Church help the dead and their families?

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In the Catholic faith, the parish community supports a grieving family by helping out at the funeral and by praying for the loved one’s soul. This includes having a special mass for the loved one and praying a rosary novena for the loved one.

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Many people who attend a Catholic funeral for the first time will often remark how beautiful it is. Steeped in centuries-old custom and ritual as Catholic funeral rites are, that's understandable.

But the most important aspect about Catholic funerals is that they express the Christian hope in eternal life and the resurrection of the body on the last day. Every component of the Catholic funeral rites should express these fundamental beliefs and hopes. Our funeral rites are not "a celebration of life," as they are referred to sometimes, but a privileged opportunity to return to God the gift of the deceased, hoping to usher them into paradise with the aid of our prayers. Our love for the departed is expressed after death, above all else, in our prayer for them.

When a loved one dies, those left here to ensure their proper and dignified burial can often get bogged down by all the decisions needing to be made. In that case, we often will miss the opportunity to focus on the faith and hope the Catholic funeral rites express. Bereaved family and friends often will have to make many decisions about their loved one's funeral, but often may not be fully prepared to do so. Whenever possible, the Church recommends that the family should be involved in planning the funeral rites - from choices of texts and readings to music and liturgical ministers. They may wish to make decisions on some of these components and not on others. They may leave some or all of the decisions up to the parish staff as well.

This guide is meant to explain the Catholic funeral rites and give some guidance on the decisions that will need to be made - in light of Church teachings - at the time of a loved one's death. It might also be helpful in preparing some notes on our own funeral.

Guiding principles

While death might seem like the end of the road, Christians believe it is just a beginning. "In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, had broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity" (Order of Christian Funerals (OCF), No. 1). This maxim guides the Christian approach to funerals.

There needs to be direct communication with the parish and funeral home. Usually, funeral homes are fully aware of each parish's expectations and regulations. But it is important to be in communication with the parish directly. Perhaps someone can be appointed within the family to be the point person for this communication, depending on the circumstances.

Burial or cremation?

One of the first decisions that needs to be made is whether the deceased will be buried or cremated. Cremation is allowed, so long as this option isn't chosen to express anything contrary to Christian hope - particularly the hope in the resurrection of the body. Nonetheless, the Church's tradition recommends burial over cremation. More and more families are opting for cremation today to decrease funeral expenses. But the decision should be based in all the facts, so make sure to compare the costs when discussing options with the funeral director.

In either case, a place of burial needs to be chosen. The Church's preference is that Catholics be buried in the consecrated ground of a Catholic cemetery, but other cemeteries may be chosen. The point is that bodies need to be disposed of in a fitting and dignified way, consonant with the human dignity that should be afforded to everyone, made in the image of God as we are.

Cremains must also be buried - they are not to be placed in the home, spread on land or at sea, etc. This need not be only in a cemetery grave. One popular method to afford cremains their proper respect is to use a columbarium - or niches, akin to mausoleums - which cemeteries and parishes in more frequency are constructing to contain cremains.

It is also preferable that Catholic graves be marked in some way. Although, burial at sea is also permitted - so long as the body or cremains are in a sealed container (not spread openly) - and a marker might not be possible in these circumstances.

The choice of burial or cremation also will indicate how much of the remainder of the funeral events take place. If burial of the body is chosen, the funeral is often held within a few days. If cremation is chosen, that time could be extended a bit - although it is preferable to celebrate the funeral as soon as possible and not delay it for too long. Also if cremation is chosen, will there still be a viewing of the body and will the body be brought to church for the funeral Mass, or will the body be cremated shortly after death?

Outline of the Average Catholic Funeral

A. VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED

B. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

◗ Greeting, sprinkling of casket or cremains with holy water, placing of the pall (if customary), the entrance procession, placing of Christian symbols (if desired), and opening prayer.

◗ First reading, responsorial psalm, second reading, homily, general intercessions

◗ Liturgy of the Eucharist continues on as it normally does at any Mass, until after Communion.

◗ Prayer and silence, signs of farewell (incensation of casket or cremains and sprinkling with holy water), song of farewell, prayer of commendation, and procession to the place of committal (burial).

◗ Scripture verse, prayer over place of committal, committal, intercesions, Our Father, concluding prayer, prayer over the people, dismissal.

When burial of the body is chosen, several factors need to be considered. It's most common to choose respectful and appropriate attire, mindful of the respect to be shown toward the body. Consideration should be given to display some Christian symbols in or near the casket at the time of a wake or to be buried with the deceased - such as a crucifix, rosary or Bible.

The Church advises that, where possible, friends and family should be included in taking part in the preparation of the body.

Mass or not?

The decision that needs to be made at this stage is whether the funeral will take place in the context of Mass or not. It is preferable to celebrate the funeral Mass in the presence of the deceased's body. "The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral" (OCF, No. 5).

Catholic funerals express the Christian's union in Christ's death and our hope to share in his resurrection. It's most fitting that the life of grace inaugurated for the deceased's soul that began in a church at baptism is returned to God in thanksgiving at the Mass.

Christian funerals "offer worship, praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life which has now been returned to God" (OCF, No. 5). (See below for more details on how to plan a funeral Mass.)

There are times that a funeral Mass might not be chosen. Perhaps our loved one had been separated from the Church for a long time and a funeral Mass wouldn't seem the most appropriate. Or maybe the burial needs to take place on a day when no priest is available or on a day when the Church prohibits the celebration of a funeral Mass (Holy Thursday, Triduum, solemnities of obligation, Sundays during the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter).

There could be other pastoral reasons for this as well, which should be considered when meeting with parish staff during the planning stages. These would include the life of the deceased and the circumstances of death. To express our love for the deceased it is recommended that, if a funeral Mass is not chosen, a memorial Mass should be scheduled for the deceased's intention at a later date. A funeral outside of Mass may be officiated by a deacon, priest or bishop - or in some cases, even a lay minister, depending on circumstances.

If Mass is not chosen, a funeral Liturgy of the Word and final commendation of the deceased is celebrated. This doesn't need to be celebrated in the church itself, and the church is perhaps not the most appropriate setting at times. A funeral outside of Mass may be conducted at the funeral home, in a chapel at the cemetery or even at the graveside.

Vigil for the deceased

The death of a friend or family member is, in fact, a social event, often affecting far more people in a community than the deceased's immediate relatives. Wakes, or viewings, are an opportunity for family and friends to come together, console each other and recall the impact the deceased had on them. This usually occurs, in American culture, at the funeral home. The Order of Christian Funerals also provides for the possibility for the vigil to be conducted in the church itself. This, however, would need to be negotiated with parish staff.

Wakes find their origins in the Christian celebration of vigils, often associated with major events or feasts. The vigil for the dead is intended to be dedicated to prayer for the deceased. The Church supplies a liturgical rite for wakes, to be celebrated by a sacred minister of the Church, or it may be celebrated by a lay minister in some cases. This is a combination of readings, a brief homily or reflection, prayers and possibly music.

The wake is also a time to celebrate any popular devotions that might have been particularly significant in the faith life of the deceased - such as the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Another option for the wake is to celebrate the Office of the Dead. This comes from the Liturgy of the Hours - the Church's daily prayer, composed of psalms, readings and prayers. This will likely require more preparation and other ministers to celebrate it appropriately, so it is good to discuss any deviations from normative practice with a member of the parish staff.

Sometimes there are additional viewing hours before the funeral itself, or it is one last opportunity for close friends and family to be with their loved one's remains before the funeral.

Remembrances

It is customary to distribute some kind of small remembrance cards during wakes or funerals. It is a good idea to remember that the deceased is best served by our prayers, so a prayer, Scripture passage or holy image would be helpful to incorporate into any such mementos.

Since the Catholic funeral rites do not usually envisage the opportunity for eulogies at the funeral Mass, the vigil is often a fitting time for those wishing to speak a word in memory or in honor of the deceased. Particular parishes and dioceses will likely have guidelines about this, so it is a good idea to ask when communicating with parish staff if anyone hopes to share some words of remembrance.

After burial

First and foremost, we show our love for the dead through our prayer. A centuries-old custom is to celebrate a Mass for the deceased on the one-month anniversary of his or her death, called a Month's Mind Mass. Into the future, it is also customary to arrange for Mass intentions for the deceased, perhaps on their birthday, anniversary or death date. We can also obtain indulgences for them, such as the indulgence available for visiting a cemetery during November, a month the Church traditionally sets aside to pray for the dead.

Michael R. Heinlein is editor of OSV's The Catholic Answer magazine. Follow him on Twitter @HeinleinMichael.

Christian Symbols

Numerous symbols are employed in Catholic funerals. Here is what each one stands for:

Holy water: A reminder of the deceased's membership in the Body of Christ through baptism. Holy water is used to welcome the body or cremains into the church and at the time of the final commendation.

Easter candle: The Easter, or paschal, candle reminds Christians of Christ's presence among us. Blessed each year at the Easter Vigil, the presence of the candle at the funeral also reminds the assembly of that night when, in hope, the Church anticipates Christ's resurrection.

Pall: It is customary in the United States and other places to place a white cloth over the casket or cremains, called a pall. This is another reminder of baptism - when each of the baptized receives a white garment that signifies their dignity. The pall also symbolizes that each person is equal in the eyes of an all-loving and merciful Father.

Book of Gospels or Bible: Christians model their lives on the Word of God and so it might be appropriate to place a Bible or Book of the Gospels atop the casket or near the cremains during the funeral Mass. It reminds the assembly of the deceased's fidelity to the Word in this life that leads them to newness of life in eternity.

Cross: A cross or crucifix may be placed atop the casket or near the cremains during the funeral Mass. This reminds us of the primary Christian symbol with which we were signed at baptism and by which Christ redeemed the world and won victory over sin and death.

Incense: Incense serves a twofold purpose in the funeral rites. It is used as a symbol of our respect for the deceased's body, which became a temple of the Holy Spirit in baptism. And it also represents the prayers of the assembly on their behalf, rising to God's throne.

Flowers: Flowers may be used "in moderation" (OCF, No. 38). Some parishes have specific rules on the use of flowers, so it is a good idea to check with the parish staff before making arrangements.

Liturgical color: For funeral Masses in the United States, the sacred ministers may wear white, violet or black vestments. "The liturgical color chosen for funerals should express Christian hope but should not be offensive to human grief or sorrow" (OCF, No. 39). This is the choice of the sacred minister, but if you have a preference, feel free to express it.

By Michael R. Heinlein
For most Catholic funerals, the Mass of Christian Burial is chosen. The normal place for its celebration is the parish church of the deceased. As with the planning of any Mass, many decisions must be made about options for aspects like music and readings or persons taking a part in one way or another. Several of these components would also be considered for a funeral outside of Mass. These decisions are usually made in consultation with parish staff.

1. Readings
The readings from Scripture "provide the family and the community with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears and hopes" (Order of Christian Funerals, No. 22). There are four readings for a Catholic funeral. Parish staff usually supply family with copies of the readings from which they can make their decision.The first reading is typically one of seven options provided from the Old Testament. The exception to this is when the funeral takes place during the Easter season, in which case a first reading is chosen from one of five options found in either Acts of the Apostles or Revelation.The responsorial psalm may be recited, but is most typically sung. There are 17 options for the psalms that may be chosen. Typically there are several different musical settings for each, so that can be discussed with the parish staff.The second reading most typically comes from one of St. Paul's letters, although there are two of the 17 New Testament options that come from the first letter of St. John. There are 24 options to choose from for Gospel readings, most of which are from the Gospel of St. John.In addition to all of the options of readings above, which are aimed at funerals for adults, there are two other sets of readings for funerals of children, either before or after baptism.

2. Prayers
The orations of the presiding minister address God on behalf of the entire Church in their prayer for the deceased. In addition to general orations (either inside or outside the Easter season), there are a variety of options that may be suited to more specific circumstances - such as for a young person, for one who suffered a long illness, or one who died suddenly, etc. There are five options for the preface of the Eucharistic prayer. And Eucharistic prayers 1-4 have special inserts for a Mass on the day of burial. The special insert for Eucharistic Prayer 3 is particularly poignant.

3. Music
The music chosen for a Christian funeral "should express the paschal mystery of the Lord's suffering, death and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture" (OCF, No. 30). As a resource to those planning funerals, many parishes will often have a list of hymns appropriate for use at a funeral from which to select. "The music at funerals should support, console and uplift the participants" (OCF, No. 31).While it might differ based on parish custom, there are normally three hymns chosen for use at the entrance, preparation of the gifts and at the reception of Communion. There is also what's called the song of farewell, sung at the end of the funeral Mass during the final commendation. This is also something to discuss with the parish staff if you are interested in options.Both the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals suggest the importance to incorporate an element of silence at the Mass, and this is no different for funerals. Moments of silence "permit the assembly to reflect upon the word of God and the meaning of the celebration" (OCF, No. 4).

4. Liturgical ministers
It is natural to want to include at the funeral various family and friends of the deceased. Because many of these roles are liturgical, great care must be taken to ensure that these ministers all well-trained and suitable. You may wish to choose readers for the first and second readings, to present the gifts at the offertory or to serve the Mass. Perhaps those with musical talents might be able to utilize them in consultation with the parish staff. In addition to liturgical ministers, there might be the need for pall bearers (usually six) or representatives of the family or close friends to place the pall and Christian symbols on the casket or near the cremains.

Factors to Keep in Mind, A Recap

◗ There needs to be direct communication with the parish and funeral home. Perhaps someone can be appointed within the family to be the point person.

◗ The Church's preference is that Catholics be buried in the consecrated ground of a Catholic cemetery, but other cemeteries may be chosen.

◗ Cremation is allowed, so long as it isn't chosen to deny hope in the resurrection of the body. The Church's tradition recommends burial over cremation, and cremains must also be interred in the ground or a columbarium - not placed in the home or scattered.

◗ If burial of the body is chosen, the funeral is often held within a few days.

◗ If Mass is not chosen, a funeral Liturgy of the Word and final commendation of the deceased is celebrated and can be done in the church, a funeral home, in a chapel at the cemetery or even at the graveside.

◗ The vigil for the dead is intended to be dedicated to prayer for the deceased.

◗ It is customary to distribute some kind of remembrance card with a prayer, Scripture passage or holy image.

◗ A vigil is often a fitting time for those wishing to speak a word in memory or in honor of the deceased. Diocesan and parish guidelines should be consulted.

◗ The Mass of Christian Burial offers a selection of readings, prayers, music and liturgical roles to be chosen and often performed by family members.

◗ A centuries-old custom is to celebrate a Mass for the deceased on the one-month anniversary of their death, called a Month's Mind Mass.

◗ It is customary to arrange for Mass intentions for the deceased, perhaps on their birthday, anniversary or death date.

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Planning and Understanding the Catholic Funeral

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Many people who attend a Catholic funeral for the first time will often remark how beautiful it is. Steeped in centuries-old custom and ritual as Catholic funeral rites are, that's understandable. But the most important aspect about Catholic funerals is that they express the Christian hope in eternal life and the resurrection of the body on the last day.

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We should prioritize going to a funeral over work or any other commitments as it is disrespectful not to go to the funeral of your loved one. A funeral is the final goodbye to your loved one before he or she is buried.

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How do governments support the dead and their families?

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How do governments support the dead and their families?

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Social Security provides a one-time benefit of $255 to the close relatives of the dead. Additionally, they can provide monthly benefits to survivors. If the dead is a veteran, the Veterans Affairs can provide up to $2000 for a burial. Finally, if the dead was a disaster victim, FEMA can provide assistance for burial and a memorial service.

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Help with funeral expenses from the federal government is limited, but there are some programs which may be able to help you. Among these are:

Social Security (800-772-1213 / website)

The Veterans Administration (855-574-7286 / website)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (800-621-3362 / website)

National Center for Victims of Crime (202-467-8700 / website)

We have provided more detailed information on each of the above categories of assistance below.

Social Security Survivors Benefits

We normally associate social security with monthly retirement benefits. But there is another benefit that you should be aware of if you have experienced the death of a loved one-the Social Security one-time death benefit.
Social Security One-Time Death Benefit
Depending on your loved one's employment history, you may be eligible for a one-time lump sum payment of $255. This payment is in addition to any monthly benefit for which the deceased's survivors may be eligible. The Social Security death benefit is paid to beneficiaries in the following order:

1. A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death.

2. A surviving spouse who is eligible for social security benefits based on the deceased's earnings record for the month of death.

3. Children eligible for benefits for the month of death when there is no surviving spouse.

You should notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible after the death. If you are working with a funeral director, he or she may handle the notification for you, but you should confirm this since you must apply within two years of death. If you are taking care of notification, you must do so in person at a local social security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You cannot apply online.
Social Security Monthly Benefits
The amount of monthly benefits paid to survivors depends on the average lifetime earnings of the deceased. The higher the earnings, the greater the benefits. However, there are also other factors that are taken into consideration in determining benefits such as the survivor's earnings. For complete information on eligibility, we recommend that you contact the Social Security Administration.

Eligible survivors include:

A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled.

A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted ten years, or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled.

Unmarried children under age 18 and age 19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full-time; and under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children.

Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled.

Dependent parent or parents 62 or older.

How to Apply
You cannot apply for Social Security benefits online. To apply, visit your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You will need the following information when you apply:

Death certificate.

Social security numbers - the deceased, the applicant, dependent children.

Applicant's birth certificate.

Marriage certificate and divorce papers, as applicable.

W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for deceased worker for the most recent year.

Bank and account number for direct deposit of benefits.

If you are already receiving benefits as a husband or wife on your spouse's record when she or he dies, immediately report the death to Social Security to have your payments changed to survivor benefits. If you are receiving benefits based on your work record, complete an application and Social Security will determine if you can receive more under survivor benefits.

For more information on applying for Social Security benefits visit www.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.

Veterans Benefits for Funerals and Burials

If the deceased was a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or the minor child of a veteran you may be eligible to receive assistance for the burial.

Under regulations that went in to effect on July 7, 2014, the Veterans Administration (VA) will pay a one-time cash allowance of up to $300 for a non-service related death and $2,000 for a death related to military service. Payment is made on a reimbursement basis. In other words, you must submit your receipts to the VA.

In addition to the one-time payment, veteran's, spouses of veterans and minor children may be eligible for burial at a national or state military cemetery in the United States. Veterans may also be eligible for military funeral honors, burial flags, headstones and markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates at no cost. If the burial is in a private cemetery, only the veteran is eligible for those items.
Service-related Death

Deaths occurring on or after September 11, 2001: The VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses.

Deaths prior to September 11, 2001: up to $1,500.

If the burial is in a national cemetery, some portion of the deceased's transportation may be covered.

Non-service-related Death

Deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2017: Up to $762 if hospitalized by the VA at the time of death.If not hospitalized, the VA will pay $300 toward burial or funeral expenses. If not buried in a national cemetery, the VA will also pay a $762 plot-interment allowance.

Deaths on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011: Up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance. For deaths on or after April 1, 1988, but before October 1, 2011, $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, for Veterans hospitalized by VA at the time of death.

Eligibility requirements for funeral benefits are established by law, and they can change from time-to-time. You should always check to make sure that you have the most current information before you decide your eligibility. Visit the VA Burial Benefits Eligibility Page.

You can apply for benefits online at https://www.vets.gov/burials-and-memorials/pre-need/. To apply by paper application you will need to complete VA Form 21P530, Application for Burial Allowance. For more information on how to complete the paper form you can visit the link above. Your local regional benefit office can also assist you.

CEMETERIES

The National Cemetery Scheduling Office is the organization that can help you make arrangements to have an eligible Servicemember, Veteran, Spouse, or dependent buried in a national cemetery. A funeral director can help you make arrangements, or you can contact the office at 800-535-1117.

Some private cemeteries offer free grave sites for veterans. Be aware that restrictions may apply and there may be requirements to purchase an additional grave site or a grave marker. The VA will provide a free headstone or marker for private cemetery burials. However, this benefit is limited to eligible veterans or Service members only.

Funeral directors can request military funeral honors on behalf of veterans' families. Veterans organizations often assist in providing military funeral honors.

For information on burial at sea, contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office toll-free at 1-888-647-6676, and select option 4.

For more information on Veteran's benefits visit https://www.va.gov/ or call 1-855-574-7286.

Disaster Relief

FEMA provides some assistance with funeral expenses if you are in a Presidentially declared disaster area and the death is caused as a direct result of the disaster. The amount that you are eligible for is determined by the state, territory, or tribal government. You can reside outside the declared area but the death must be caused by the emergency. To be eligible, the deceased must:

Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

Must have a verifiable identity.

Burial insurance or other forms of assistance must be insufficient to meet the disaster-caused needs.

Required documentation must be provided. To see exactly what documentation is required visit the FEMA funeral assistance page.

FEMA will only provide assistance for expenses directly related to funeral or burial. Items such as an obituary, flowers, or catering are not covered.

Because the amount of awards and details of how to apply can vary depending on the disaster, we recommend that you contact FEMA (800) 621-3362) to discuss your specific circumstances.

In times of emergency, the community often pulls together to raise funds to help people work through difficult situations. If you are in a disaster and suffering, please contact your local Red Cross or municipality.

Victim's Assistance

The National Center for Victims of Crime is responsible for managing the Federal program that provides compensation for crime victims. In addition to items such as medical and dental expenses, the fund offers assistance with funeral costs. The National Center is primarily an agency that coordinates between states since each state is responsible for its own crime victim compensation. Benefits vary by state and range from $10,000 to $100,000.

The National Center maintains a listing of the programs offered by each state. To find out what type of benefits your state offers click here. To contact the National Center, call (202) 467-8700.

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Paying for a Funeral: Where to get Federal Assistance

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Help with funeral expenses from the federal government is limited, but there are some programs which may be able to help you. Among these are: Social Security (800-772-1213 / website) The Veterans Administration (855-574-7286 / website) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (800-621-3362 / website) National Center for Victims of Crime (202-467-8700 / website) We have provided more detailed information on each of the above categories of assistance below.

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We bury the dead because, as Catholics, we believe that at the second coming, Jesus will bring all bodies to heaven. By burying a body, we are showing respect for it and allowing Jesus to come to the body and take it up to heaven. Cremation is now permitted by the Church, but it does not have the same value as a burial of the body.

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Because of our belief not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the resurrection of the body, the Church professes hope in the face of death, and acts with charity in the funeral rites. The Church provides a number of prayers for the faithful to offer both to accompany the dying of a loved one and to strengthen our faith upon their death. Through private prayer and public funeral rites, we strengthen our faith and hope, comfort those who mourn, and bury the bodily remains of the deceased with care befitting what was the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

The following excerpts are taken from the General Introduction of the Order of Christian Funerals:

4. At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the eucharist.

5. Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.

6. The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God's merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. At the funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession. At the rite of final commendation and farewell, the community acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God. In this way it recognizes the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaims its belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where death will be no more.

Canon 1176 from the Code of Canon Law states, "Deceased members of the Christian faithful must be given ecclesiastical funerals according to the norm of law." Others who are eligible for an ecclesiastical funeral include:

Children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism, and

"In the prudent judgment of the local ordinary, ecclesiastical funerals can be granted to baptized persons who are enrolled in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available" (canon 1183.3).

Cremation

"The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine" (canon 1176.3).

While the Church continues to hold a preference for corporeal burial, cremation has become part of Catholic practice in the United States and the around the world.

The Church's reverence and care for the body grows out of a reverence and concern for the person whom the Church now commends to the care of God. This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the bread of life. This is the body whose hands clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing. The human body is so inextricably associated with the human person that it is hard to think of a human person apart from his or her body.

In April 1997, the Holy See granted an indult for the United States to allow the diocesan bishop to permit the presence of the cremated remains of a body at a Funeral Mass. Later that year, they confirmed the special texts and ritual directives, which were then published as an appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals.

However, the Order of Christian Funerals' Appendix on Cremation states: "Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites" (no. 413).

The growing interest in and desire for cremation continues to remain a question in the minds of many Catholics. Resources on this website are available to help better explain and deepen the Catholic understanding of cremation as an option for the final disposition of the body.

For More Information on Funerals and Cremation

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Because of our belief not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the resurrection of the body, the Church professes hope in the face of death, and acts with charity in the funeral rites.

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The Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday, celebrated in April 4th or 5th (the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar). During the Qingming Festival, families honor the dead by cleaning their gravesites, praying to them, and burning offerings of paper or incense. Traditional foods include zongzi (glutinous rice wrapped in leaves) and qingtuan (fillings wrapped in green glutinous rice).

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Qing Ming Festival and Its Origin - eBeijing.gov.cn

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Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 5th this year. It is both the fifth term in the traditional lunar calendar and a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a time to express one's grief for his lost relatives.

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El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd. It is a series of festivals to celebrate the dead. Traditional foods include pan de muerto and tamales.

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Día de los Muertos is celebrated across Mexico with skulls, skeletons, and graveside visits-but what does this beloved holiday really represent?

Hector Colin brings marigolds to decorate the graveyard in Carpinteros, Mexico, for Day of the Dead. Celebrated each year on November 1 and 2, the holiday uses a blend of pre-Columbian and Spanish traditions to honor deceased family members.

Photograph by Jaime Rojo, National Geographic

Here's one thing we know: Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween.

Though related, the two annual events differ greatly in traditions and tone. While Halloween embraces terror and mischief on the last night of October, Day of the Dead festivities unfold over the first two days of November in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. Sure, the theme is death, but the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members. In towns and cities throughout Mexico, revelers don funky makeup and costumes, hold parades and parties, sing and dance, and make offerings to lost loved ones.

The rituals are rife with symbolic meaning. The more you understand about this feast for the senses, the more you will appreciate it. Here are 10 essential things you should know about Mexico's most vibrant annual event.

Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, who considered mourning the dead disrespectful. For these pre-Hispanic cultures, death was a natural phase in life's long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit-and during Día de los Muertos, they temporarily returned to Earth.

(Here are the best hotels to stay in to experience the Day of the Dead.)

Today's Día de los Muertos celebration is a mash-up of pre-Hispanic religious rites and Christian feasts. It takes place on November 1 and 2-All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on the Catholic calendar-around the time of the fall corn harvest.

2. It has been recognized by UNESCO.

Cultural heritage is not just monuments and collections of objects. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that cultural heritage also includes living expressions of culture-traditions-passed down from generation to generation.

In 2008, UNESCO recognized the importance of Día de los Muertos by adding the holiday to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today Mexicans from all religious and ethnic backgrounds celebrate the holiday. But at its core, Day of the Dead is a reaffirmation of Indigenous life.

3. Altars are an important tradition...

The centerpiece of the celebration is an altar, or ofrenda, built in private homes and cemeteries. These aren't altars for worshipping; rather, they're meant to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living. As such, they're loaded with offerings-water to quench thirst after the long journey, food, family photos, and a candle for each dead relative. If one of the spirits is a child, you might find small toys on the altar.

Marigolds are the main flowers used to decorate the altar. Scattered from altar to gravesite, the golden petals guide wandering souls back to their place of rest. The smoke from copal incense, made from tree resin, transmits praise and prayers and purifies the area around the altar.

(Here's how marigolds became iconic symbols of the Day of the Dead.)

4. ...and so are literary calaveras...

Calavera means "skull." But during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, calavera was used to describe short, humorous poems, which were often sarcastic tombstone epitaphs published in newspapers that poked fun at the living. These literary calaveras eventually became a popular part of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Today the practice is alive and well. You'll find these clever, biting poems in print, read aloud, and broadcast on television and radio programs.

5. ...especially the calavera Catrina.

In the early 20th century, Mexican political cartoonist and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada created an etching to accompany a literary calavera. Posada dressed his personification of death in fancy French garb and called it Calavera Garbancera, intending it as social commentary on Mexican society's emulation of European sophistication. " Todos somos calaveras," a quote attributed to Posada, means "we are all skeletons." Underneath our human-made trappings, we are all the same.

In 1947 artist Diego Rivera featured Posada's stylized skeleton in his masterpiece mural "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park." Posada's skeletal bust was dressed in a large feminine hat, and Rivera made his female and named her Catrina, slang for "the rich." Today, the calavera Catrina, or elegant skull, is the Day of the Dead's most ubiquitous symbol. (Learn more about the dark history of the holiday's immortal icon.)

6. Families bring food to the dead.

You work up a mighty hunger and thirst traveling from the spirit world back to the realm of the living. At least that's the traditional belief in Mexico. Some families place their dead loved one's favorite meal on the altar. Other common offerings:

Pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, is a typical sweet bread (pan dulce), often featuring anise seeds and decorated with bones and skulls made from dough. The bones might be arranged in a circle, as in the circle of life. Tiny dough teardrops symbolize sorrow.

(Read more about pan de muerto.)

Sugar skulls are part of a sugar art tradition brought by 17th-century Italian missionaries. Pressed in molds and decorated with crystalline colors, they come in all sizes and levels of complexity.

Drinks to celebrate the holiday include pulque, a sweet fermented beverage made from the agave sap; atole, a thin warm porridge made from corn flour, with unrefined cane sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla added; and hot chocolate.

7. People dress in costumes.

Day of the Dead is an extremely social holiday that spills into streets and public squares at all hours of the day and night. Dressing up as skeletons is part of the fun. People of all ages have their faces artfully painted to resemble skulls, and, mimicking the calavera Catrina, they don suits and fancy dresses. Many revelers wear shells or other noisemakers to amp up the excitement-and also possibly to rouse the dead and keep them close during the festivities.

8. Streets are decorated in papel picado.

You've probably seen this beautiful Mexican paper craft plenty of times in Mexican restaurants. The literal translation, pierced paper, perfectly describes how it's made. Artisans stack colored tissue paper in dozens of layers, then perforate the layers with hammer and chisel points. Papel picado isn't used exclusively during Day of the Dead, but it plays an important role in the holiday. Draped around altars and in the streets, the art represents the wind and the fragility of life.

(These Mexican paper crafts bring the party during Day of the Dead.)

9. Mexico City hosts an iconic parade.

Día de los Muertos is more popular than ever-in Mexico and, increasingly, abroad. For more than a dozen years, the New York-based nonprofit cultural organization Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders has staged the city's largest Day of the Dead celebration.

But the most authentic celebrations take place in Mexico. If you find yourself in Mexico City the weekend before Day of the Dead this year, make sure to stop by the grand parade where you can join in on live music, bike rides and other activities in celebration throughout the city.

10. Other communities celebrate in unique ways.

Countless communities in Mexico celebrate Day of the Dead, but styles and customs differ by area, depending on the region's predominant pre-Hispanic culture. Here are a few places that stand out for their colorful, moving celebrations:

Pátzcuaro: One of the most poignant Day of the Dead celebrations takes place each year in Pátzcuaro, a municipality in the state of Michoacán about 225 miles west of Mexico City. Indigenous people from the countryside converge on the shores of Pátzcuaro Lake, where they pile into canoes, a single candle burning in each bow, and paddle over to a tiny island called Janitzio for an all-night vigil in the cemetery.

Mixquic: In this Mexico City suburb, bells from the historic Augustinian convent toll and community members bearing candles and flowers proceed to the local cemetery, where they clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones.

Tuxtepec: This small city in the northeastern part of Oaxaca state is best known for its sawdust rugs. For days, locals painstakingly arrange colored sawdust, flower petals, rice, pine needles, and other organic materials in elaborate, ruglike patterns on city streets. Traditionally made for important processions, Tuxtepec's sawdust rugs are judged in a contest held during Día de los Muertos.

Aguascalientes: Located roughly 140 miles north of Guadalajara, Aguascalientes-birthplace of engraver José Guadalupe Posada-stretches its Day of the Dead celebrations to nearly a week during its Festival de Calaveras (Festival of Skulls). The event culminates in a grand parade of skulls along Avenida Madero.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on October 26, 2017. It has been updated.

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Top 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead

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Día de los Muertos is celebrated across Mexico with skulls, skeletons, and graveside visits-but what does this beloved holiday really represent?

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All Souls’ Day is commemorated every November 2nd. On this day, Catholics pray for the dead. This festival is attributed to Odilo, abbot of Cliny. According to tradition, he was stranded on an island, and he had visions of souls in purgatory. When he was rescued, he asked to set a day for praying of the dead.

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This article was most recently revised and updated by

All Souls' Day, in Roman Catholicism, a day for commemoration of all the faithful departed, those baptized Christians who are believed to be in purgatory because they died with the guilt of lesser sins on their souls. It is observed on November 2. Roman Catholic doctrine holds that the prayers of the faithful on earth will help cleanse these souls in order to fit them for the vision of God in heaven, and the day is dedicated to prayer and remembrance. Requiem masses are commonly held, and many people visit and sometimes decorate the graves of loved ones. It is part of the three-day triduum dedicated to remembering the dead, beginning with Halloween (October 31) and followed by All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).

From antiquity certain days were devoted to intercession for particular groups of the dead. The institution of a day for a general intercession on November 2 is due to Odilo, abbot of Cluny (died 1048). The date, which became practically universal before the end of the 13th century, was chosen to follow All Saints' Day. Having celebrated the feast of all the members of the church who are believed to be in heaven, the church on earth turns, on the next day, to commemorate those souls believed to be suffering in purgatory.

Priests celebrate mass wearing vestments of varying colour-black (for mourning), violet (symbolizing penance), or white (symbolizing the hope of resurrection).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Meg Matthias.

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All Souls' Day | Description, History, & Traditions

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All Souls' Day, in Roman Catholicism, a day for commemoration of all the faithful departed, those baptized Christians who are believed to be in purgatory because they died with the guilt of lesser sins on their souls. It is observed on November 2.

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El Greco. The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. 1586, oil on canvas, Iglesia de Santo Tomé, Toledo, Spain.

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Most people pay for a funeral. Sometimes insurance pays for them, and other times, a charity can pay for a funeral. People must take into consideration the costs of a gravesite, a funeral service, a headstone, and other fees specified by the funeral home.

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Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company®

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The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $9,000. This includes viewing and burial, basic service fees, transporting remains to a funeral home, a casket, embalming, and other preparation. The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000 to $7,000. These costs do not include a cemetery, monument, marker, or other things like flowers.

Funeral costs have been rising steadily since the 1980's. Today, it's not uncommon for the average funeral to cost up to $9,000 or more depending on whether the body is buried or cremated. Caskets and urns can cost thousands of dollars alone depending on the style and material used.

Table of Contents

Unexpected expenses can ruin your day - or much longer if they're large enough. Pre-planning for events you know will occur can help take some of the pain out of those expenses for yourself and your family - including funeral expenses.

If you've ever helped arrange a funeral, you know even the most basic funeral expenses can be difficult to afford. If you went into the process with a budget in mind, the add-ons alone can send the cost of a funeral spiraling out of control.

One of the best ways to control these costs is to plan ahead by knowing the average cost of a burial and what each of the items costs. Once you know the costs, you can decide which items are must-haves, what would be nice to have, and what you can do without.

This article will help you discover the actual average funeral cost and how price shopping can help you keep the cost of a funeral under control.

Price Shopping & Saving Money

Families often emotionally overspend by hundreds - even thousands - of dollars when purchasing funeral arrangements. Overspending is common for several reasons:

The emotional impact of losing someone can cloud judgment.

There are often pressing time constraints.

Many on-the-spot decisions must be made.

Most families have no prior experience in funeral planning.

Some funeral homes and cemeteries may take advantage of the situation and put profit ahead of saving the family money.

Funerals today can easily exceed $10,000.

Let's say you need a new car. Do you pull in to the first lot you see, buy the first car you test-drive, and accept the sticker price without question?

Of course not. When we shop for cars, we talk to salespeople (and our friends and family), drive different vehicles, consult consumer magazines, and negotiate the price. If a specific make or model has a bad reputation or is priced too high, we walk away and look for a different car. We want a good car at the right price, and we're willing to do some homework to get it.

We do the same kind of comparison shopping for smaller purchases - computers, for instance, or large appliances like washers and dryers. We know doing a little research will get us the features we want for the price we're willing to pay.

So, why is it we don't price shop funeral costs? The cost of a funeral with a burial or cremation is just as expensive - sometimes more expensive - than other big purchases we make in life. Yet every year, thousands of families pay the "sticker price" when they bury their loved ones.

Fortunately, there are ways to save. One of the main ways families can save on funeral expenses is by shopping for the funeral services and items they want. Most consumers don't think about shopping around for funeral expenses, but it's important to understand all of your options before purchasing anything or selecting a funeral home.
Here are some tips to save money:

Contact several funeral homes in your area to get a range of prices for the services you're considering. Funeral homes are required to give you general pricing information upon your request.

Some funeral items, such as caskets or liners, can be purchased outside the funeral home. By price shopping and providing certain items from a third party, families can often save thousands of dollars without sacrificing any final arrangements.

Another way to save on funeral costs is the embalming process. The Federal Trade Commission says there are no states that require routine embalming for every death, but there are regulations related to preserving remains prior to burial or cremation, which is more about the length of time between death and disposal to prevent the breakdown of the body.

If you choose direct burial or cremation, you may be able to eliminate embalming altogether.

Even if you engage a funeral home for burial, you don't have to take advantage of their visitation and memorial services, unless this is something that is important to the family or deceased.

Also, memorials can be held at a private home or a place that held special meaning for the deceased which can create a meaningful service at a much lower cost.

If you are certain you want a burial rather than a cremation, typical expenses include:

Gravesite

Casket

Vault or coffin container

Basic service fee

Transportation fee(s), including hearse or van use

Cost of opening the ground, placing the remains in the ground, and burial

Price shopping funeral items and services can uncover savings and allow you to still have a beautiful and memorable funeral. Call around to local funeral homes for a price list and decide who your best provider will be. Planning ahead allows you to start a funeral checklist so you can be prepared when the time is right.

Know Your Funeral Rights Before You Begin

As we age, it's perfectly natural to begin thinking about final arrangements. One important part of making final arrangements is making sure you understand - and have made preparations for - your funeral costs.

Before you begin, it's important to know you have specific rights when it comes to funerals. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) first introduced the "Funeral Rule" in 1984 to prevent funeral homes from pressuring people into buying goods and services they didn't need or want. It was also intended to help protect consumers from being overcharged for the items they did want.

The Funeral Rule gives you the right to:

Buy only goods and services you want.

Be offered pricing information by phone.

Be provided with an itemized statement of all goods and services.

See a list of casket prices.

Be offered a price list for outer burial containers.

Be provided with a written statement prior to making any payments.

Select an alternative container for cremation.

Provide your own casket or urn.

Decline embalming prior to a funeral.

How Much Does a Funeral Cost With Cremation?

The National Funeral Directors Association estimates the average cost of a funeral with cremation at about $6,000. Cremation services can range from $1,000 - $3,000 on the low end of the spectrum but can cost as much as $6,000 - $8,000 depending on what options you select.

According to the 2018 NFDA Cremation & Burial Report, the 2018 cremation rate is projected to be 53% and is projected to reach 70% by 2030. As more consumers choose cremation, prices will continue to increase.

How Much Does an Average Funeral & Burial Cost?

The National Funeral Directors Association estimates the median cost of a funeral and burial at about $8,500. This price does not include a burial plot or things like flowers or transportation. Depending on the funeral home and funeral items chosen, the cost could be substantially higher. That's why price shopping is so important.

It's understandable that people grieving a recent death would struggle to do a comprehensive search for funeral homes and various costs. "In many cases, people just haven't thought about a funeral," said Cheryl Reed, a spokeswoman for the review site Angie's List, in a CNBC article on funeral pricing. "So, they're dealing with their grief at the same time they're dealing with these decisions. It's hard to be a great shopper."

With proper planning, you can actually reduce some of the stress and financial responsibilities on your family members when you die. An increasing number of people are making plans in advance to cover their funeral costs, not only to ease the burden on those left behind but also to ensure their final wishes will be taken care of.

Cost Breakdown of Funeral Services

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) conducted a survey to calculate the median cost of a funeral. In 2017, the median cost was $7,360 without a vault; including the vault increased the cost to $8,755. This does not include the burial plot, headstone, flowers or an obituary.

Here is the funeral cost checklist included in the median funeral expenses in 2017, according to the NFDA:

Many cemeteries require a burial vault or concrete grave box to ensure the ground will not buckle over the casket. A vault is reinforced to preserve the remains from groundwater and insect activity. When calculating funeral costs, you may have to include the cost of a vault or grave box.

Funeral Home

Most funeral homes will charge a "basic services fee" which includes services that are common to all funerals, regardless of the specific arrangement. Most non-declinable service fees average around $2,000 - $2,500.

This basic services fee may include obtaining copies of the death certificate, securing any permits needed, sheltering the remains, and coordinating the arrangements. The fee will not include any optional services or products such as caskets.

When choosing which funeral home to use, it's important to understand all of your options. Contacting several funeral homes will provide you with a range of prices for the services available in your area. Funeral homes are required to give you general pricing information over the phone for any services you are interested in.

Cremation vs Burial

The average cost of a cremation ranges from $1,000 - $8,000 depending on the state and services chosen. A cremation can cost almost as much as a funeral because of the various fees paid to the funeral home.

The average cost of a burial can cost up to $9,000 or more and really depends on the smaller items chosen (such as flowers, transportation, headstone, etc.). While caskets can cost several thousand dollars, burial items like headstones and grave liners can also add thousands of dollars depending on the material used. Learn more about choosing between cremation vs burial.

Embalming averages around $500-$700 and usually doesn't cost more than $1,000. Embalming isn't always required and depends on whether or not the body is buried or cremated and how quickly the service takes place after the deceased's passing. Refrigeration is often an alternative to embalming, but even refrigeration can cost several hundred dollars.

If you decide to have flowers, setting aside $500-$700 should be enough to give you an elegant display. Flowers are often an easy way for families to save on funeral costs. Some families accept flowers from guests as a way to pay respects to the deceased. Many funeral homes have local florists that can offer flower packages as part of the funeral bill. Check with several florists in the area to see what discounts are available.

Wreaths are usually displayed around the casket and typically cost about $100-$200 each. Casket wreaths are displayed across the casket itself and vary in cost and size. A decent sized casket wreath will probably cost between $500-$700 depending on the florist, flowers used, and size of the display.

Funeral Plot

Many people don't realize that cemeteries are often separate from funeral homes and carry their own costs. An average grave plot will cost between $1,000-$4,000, but metropolitan areas, such as areas of Los Angeles and Chicago, may cost more.

On top of the grave space, there is often a fee to open and close the grave and can cost around $1,000.

If you or a loved one is a veteran, check with the Veteran's Administration (VA) regarding burial allowances. The VA reimburses the burial costs of any living spouse, child or parent of an honorably discharged veteran, including costs related to transporting the remains. The cost of a burial plot in a VA-certified cemetery may be much less than a traditional burial plot. Families are usually required to cover additional funeral costs, like flowers, obituary notices, and family transportation.

In addition to the plot, there are costs associated with opening the ground, placing the casket, and covering the plot. These services usually add several hundred dollars or more, depending on the cemetery.

When purchasing the gravesite, ask how the cemetery will maintain the gravesite. The maintenance fee may be included in the overall funeral expenses, or it could be a monthly or annual service fee.

Headstone or Grave Marker

Upright headstones usually stand on top of the grave and cost around $2,000-$5,000 depending on the design. Grave markers typically lie flat on the ground and cost around $1,000. Each cost depends on the type of material used, with stone and bronze material being the cheapest. The type of headstone or grave marker you buy may depend on the section of the cemetery in which the body is buried. Most funeral homes and cemeteries can sell you a headstone or grave marker, but you can also buy them from third party retailers, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.

A casket is often the most expensive item you'll buy for a traditional funeral. Caskets vary widely in style, material, design, and price. An average casket costs between $2,000-$5,000 and is typically either metal or a cheaper wood, but some caskets can sell for as much as $10,000 or more.

It's important to remember you're not obligated to buy any funeral items directly from the funeral home. Buying outside of a funeral home can help you save thousands of dollars. More and more, people are buying caskets from third-party retailers like Amazon and Walmart and having them shipped directly to the funeral home. By law, funeral homes are required to use the casket you provide and can't charge any additional fees to handle third-party caskets.

Funeral Insurance Costs

Most people underestimate just how costly a funeral or cremation service can be. Average funeral expenses can cost about $9,000 according to the NFDA. Even cremation services can cost thousands of dollars depending on the service performed ( see How Does Cremation Work).

Unfortunately, the federal government only pays about $255 towards these costs in the form of a lump-sum payment - and that is only for individuals who qualify.

Saving for funeral costs can be difficult, but final expense life insurance can help. If you're concerned about your family experiencing a financial burden when you pass, consider getting a funeral insurance policy. Funeral insurance - commonly known as burial insurance or final expense insurance - is specifically designed to help with funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses.

Even a modest policy can help cover necessary burial costs. Learn more about final expense insurance.

Does Life Insurance Cover Funeral Costs?

Any life insurance policy can be used to help cover funeral costs (learn how whole life insurance works). Life insurance is one of the most efficient and trusted ways to cover the cost of final expenses. In particular, final expense insurance is specifically designed to help cover any end-of-life expenses such as medical bills or burial costs.

Commonly referred to as burial insurance or funeral insurance, final expense insurance is especially popular with seniors because of its focus on protecting surviving loved ones from experiencing a financial burden when they pass (learn more about what to do when a loved one dies).

When it comes to final expense insurance, there's no one-size-fits-all policy. Each family is unique and has different concerns for their loved ones. As the leader in final expense life insurance, no one understands this more than Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company®. For over 55 years, we've helped protect policyholder families from the high cost of funerals and other expenses.

Funeral Advantage gives families the cash insurance benefit they need within 24 hours of claim approval and assists with price shopping funeral costs. Funeral Advantage is designed to protect your loved ones from emotional overspending by helping them understand the pricing options available to them. We helped save policyholder families thousands of dollars last year alone.

For more information about Lincoln Heritage or to get a free quote from the Funeral Advantage program, click here.

Pre-Paying Funeral Costs

More and more people are making the choice to cover their own funeral expenses - both to make sure their final wishes are carried out and to save their loved ones from having to take care of the arrangements and the cost upon their death.

One smart way to set aside money for funeral and burial expenses is a final expense insurance policy, sometimes referred to as burial insurance or funeral insurance. The purpose of these policies is to pay a death benefit - often between $10,000 and $25,000 - for the specific purpose of covering the costs associated with end of life expenses. These typically include funeral expenses, but may be used for anything the family needs - travel costs for family members, unpaid bills, or medical expenses.

Most final expense insurance companies will give you a free final expense life insurance quote to help you determine what insurance options are available to you. Because these policies offer smaller death benefits, final expense insurance usually doesn't require a medical exam or physical. Coverage can often be issued based on answers to health questions on the application. Burial insurance for seniors is a great fit because of its affordability and easy application process.

Average Costs by State

The National Funeral Directors Association priced funeral and cremation costs by region in their 2017 General Price List Study. In 2017, the cost of a funeral with burial was highest in the north central region of the country, such as Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska, and Kansas. The cost of cremation services was highest in the north east region of the country, such as Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Below is a sample list of costs for items and services used in most final arrangements. The costs below do not reflect the price of any particular funeral home.

*Refrigeration is per day
**Prep refers to Preparation or "Dressing, Casketing, Cosmetizing, etc."
***Excluding casket and urn costs

Help With Funeral Costs

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest experiences a person can go through. As if losing someone weren't difficult enough, grieving family members are often left with the burden of funeral expenses. These expenses require many on-the-spot decisions. The stress of making these decisions can often drive families apart when they need each other the most.

Thus, it's not uncommon for families to overspend by hundreds - even thousands - of dollars on funeral arrangements.

Some funeral homes can actually make matters worse by recommending unnecessary funeral expenses or services that are beyond what a family can afford. Family members can feel pressured to give their loved one the best funeral possible and wind up overspending as a result. Having a trusted friend accompany you in advance can help you stay within your budget.

Remember, you don't have to do this alone! Organizations such as the Funeral Consumers Alliance and the National Funeral Directors Association are available to help at any point in the process.

To help protect you from overspending on funeral costs - or if you want to make sure your loved ones are not burdened with your funeral debt - write down your preferences ahead of time, starting with whether you prefer to be buried or cremated. It's also a good idea to list the type of service you prefer (a traditional viewing, a graveside service, or cremation), as well as the place of service (at a church, funeral home, or cemetery).

Although you might not be able to write down every detail of your final wishes, making these decisions ahead of time can give your family a guide to follow and help reduce confusion and emotional overspending when the time comes.

Other Types of Funerals

Funerals are just as unique as the individuals they celebrate. Depending on your culture, race, religious beliefs, or financial situation, one type of funeral may be more appealing than another.

Low Cost or Low Income Funerals

Many people struggle with the high cost of funerals and can't always afford what the funeral home will charge. A funeral home's least expensive option is usually a direct burial. Having a direct burial means the body is not embalmed and there is no visitation. Another option is direct cremation, which is essentially the same as a direct burial, except the body is cremated not buried. Both options are more affordable for families looking for a low cost funeral and usually cost several thousand dollars less.

Horse & Carriage Funeral

A horse drawn funeral isn't available everywhere, but can provide a unique alternative to a regular hearse and provide families with additional style and elegance. Providers usually offer black or white horses and decorations in the color of your choice. The cost of a horse and carriage is higher and is usually charged per hour.

Military Funeral

Military veterans are entitled to a free burial in a national cemetery and a grave marker if they meet certain requirements. Spouses and dependent children of veterans are also entitled to a plot and marker in a national cemetery. If the person who died was a veteran, either active or retired, the surviving family members are entitled to a range of benefits. Keep in mind there are different guidelines on who is eligible for which benefits.

Military funerals may cost families several thousand dollars less, but it's important to call your local VA office to get a full list of discounts and benefits. Funeral planning guides for veterans also exist.

Green Funeral

Eco-friendly funerals are on the rise and may save families hundreds - even thousands - of dollars on funeral costs depending on the style chosen. Biodegradable caskets are often much cheaper than traditional caskets. The Green Burial Council offers a list of vendors who have green burial-certified products that can be used for your final arrangements.

Top Questions to Ask Your Funeral Provider

Whether the need is immediate or you are planning for the future, one of the most important questions you can ask is whether a funeral home is independent or is owned by a corporation. A 2017 report from the Consumer Federation of America and the Funeral Consumers Alliance surveyed prices of 103 independent funeral homes in 10 major metropolitan areas, comparing them to prices at 35 funeral homes owned by Service Corporation International - SCI - in the same cities. The study found that median prices at funeral homes owned by SCI, which most often uses the name Dignity Memorial, were 47 to 72 percent higher than at the independent funeral homes.

"Many funeral providers offer various 'packages' of goods and services for different kinds of funerals," says the Federal Trade Commission. "When you arrange for a funeral, you have the right to buy goods and services separately. That is, you do not have to accept a package that may include items you do not want." The site also has a funeral costs and pricing checklist that helps you figure out the actual cost of a funeral. You can also learn about our funeral planning checklist.

Other important questions to ask include:

May I have a copy of your General Price List?

If prices for such things as caskets and urns aren't on that list, may I have a list of those prices also?

Do I have options as far as embalming, viewing, cremation and type of funeral or memorial service? Does your price list cover/specify these services?

What are my payment options? Do you work with insurance companies?

The person who died had a burial insurance policy. Are you familiar with these?

Read our full list of questions to ask a funeral home.

Are Funeral Costs Tax Deductible?

According to IRS regulations, most individuals will not qualify to claim a tax deduction for funeral expenses. It's possible an estate can deduct these and other types of funeral expenses, but check with your tax professional first.

What are the Cheapest Funeral Costs?

Typically preparation of the body (hairdressing, cosmetics, clothing, etc.) costs a few hundred dollars. Other cheap funeral costs include obituary notices and pamphlets for the service.

How Much Does a Baby or Child's Funeral Cost?

There is little difference in cost between an adult funeral and a child's funeral. Much of the same items must be purchased, and even though the casket is smaller it can still cost several thousand dollars.

Who is Legally Responsible for Funeral Costs?

If a will or estate plan exists, it is the executor's responsibility to ensure the funeral is planned and paid for. If an executor does not exist, any next of kin is usually responsible. If the person responsible for funeral costs cannot afford the final arrangements, they may sign a release that turns the deceased's body over to the coroner's office for disposal.

Does Social Security Pay for Funeral Costs?

Social Security doesn't explicitly pay for funeral costs, but eligible family members receive a lump sum payment of $255 when a loved one passes away. Additional benefits may be available.

Does Medicare Cover Funeral Costs?

Because a funeral is not considered a medical expense, Medicare does not cover funeral costs.

How Much Does Funeral Shipping Cost?

Shipping a body can increase funeral costs by $2,000 or more. People who retire out-of-state but still desire to be buried back home should plan to cover these additional costs. If a person dies overseas while on vacation or business, shipping costs will be even higher.

How Can I Raise Money to Cover a Funeral?

Unfortunately, many people can't afford to pay for funeral expenses. In these situations, families often set up fundraising accounts like GoFundMe in honor of the deceased. Car washes, church offerings, and bake sales can all be used to raise additional funds.

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2019 Breakdown of Average Funeral Costs (Cremation, Burial, Etc) - Lincoln Heritage

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The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $9,000. This includes viewing and burial, basic service fees, transporting remains to a funeral home, a casket, embalming, and other preparation. The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000 to $7,000. These costs do not include a cemetery, monument, marker, or other things like flowers.