Of the millions of things you might have heard and read bout the city of Los Angeles, one thing that you probably don’t encounter much of is the topic of funeral costs and what this industry looks like in this city where the sun shines brightly.
But that doesn’t mean the sector is nonexistent. The tips that we share in this article might be eye-opening for you and we have so much beans to spill on how to save some money when planning a funeral or buying a casket in Los Angeles.
So let’s guide you through what are some of the top things to consider and tips on how to keep your funeral expenses in check.
Know Your Rights
As a customer, it might be the last thing on your mind to be frugal about what to buy where when you’re also grieving the loss of a loved one. This is why it is important that you are already well-read on your rights as a customer when it comes to funeral arrangements and services.
For instance, many people are unaware of the fact that there are laws set in place for funeral homes to disclose all their prices on caskets or coffins and other services offered to their customers when asked.
Customers should be given the liberty to have all their options laid out to them in the hopes of allowing them to choose the best possible outcome according to their needs both personally and financially.
Some establishments might also offer package deals which seems more convenient at the moment but perhaps, you don’t really need all the services you are paying for in the package.
Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the General Price List that the funeral homes are obliged to supply to their customers.
There is also a law by the Federal Trade Commission for funeral homes called the Funeral Rule. This states that funeral homes are not allowed to charge extra to customers if they decide to bring their own casket or use a casket obtained from another establishment.
Available Alternative Options:
Veterans’ Burial Benefits:
If you lost a loved one who is eligible for the Veterans’ Burial benefits, you should definitely look into that as well. The eligibility criteria are nothing more than providing some kind of proof of an honorable discharge from the military.
Some cemeteries that are worth looking into for availing such benefits are:
- The Los Angeles National Cemetery on Sepulveda Boulevard
- The Riverside National Cemetery on Van Buren Boulevard
- The Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on San Diego’s Point Loma
- Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo
What You Can Avail:
In most cases, when you opt for a burial service at a national cemetery like the ones mentioned above, you can benefit from services like perpetual care of the gravestone, opening and closing the grave, a burial flag, a gravestone or a marker from the government and every a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
A Sea Burial:
Typically, sea burials are often undertaken during deployment and thus do not have any family in attendance, if the deceased has connections to the Navy, a sea burial can be availed by the family members.
Other than family, even active-duty personnel, Military Sealift Command, civilian marine personnel, and retired or honorably discharged personnel can put up a request for this in writing to the authorities.
Cremation:
You can opt for a cheaper alternative like performing a cremation instead of a burial which will eliminate your costs when it comes to additional funeral expenses like buying a cemetery plot, tombstone, grave opening and closing costs, caskets, etc.
If you choose a direct cremation, your expenses can go as low as $540. But if you’re looking for a proper funeral service, the national average can come up to almost $6500.
Perhaps the only downside to having a cremation is that you can’t have as many people at the wake or the viewing as compared to a typical burial service. However, you can always plan for one at your own convenience if you wish to.
Knowing your options can help you make an informed decision about which is the right option for your wallet as well as the emotional needs of your family.
Choosing The Right Funeral Home
There are tons of establishments that might be offering you the same kinds of services at similar price points. However, the quality and policy of such services can differ from one funeral home to the next. In essence, you should take your time to browse and choose the right provider in terms of expenses, services, customizations and most of all, your comfort.
It’s also important that you choose a licensed establishment that is already approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.
Financial Assistance For Funerals
No one is ever prepared for the loss of a loved one. Not emotionally nor financially or even if you are, it can put stress on your finances. This is why it’s so important for services like financial assistance for funerals that Los Angeles County offers. Generally, these programs help support families from low-income backgrounds so they can have a respectful send-off for their loved ones.
Once you have a good understanding of funeral costs, you can preplan everything and get rid of the stress that comes from the unknown. Losing someone in itself is already stressful enough so it can only do you good if you’re alleviating yourself of that extra stress by planning for the future.