Wise Bread is one of my favorite blogs because it is so interesting. My case in point is a recent post from one of their bloggers on DIY funerals. The writer breaks down how a low-budget funeral can add up to $8,000. Then he suggests a few alternatives, including making your own coffin.
Oh. My. Goodness.
I guess he didn’t know you can buy coffins at Costco. Read the post here. It’s quite interesting!
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
i dont think its that bad a family member recently died but there were a lot of mistakes made and we ended up having a coffin made it was nice and deep so u dident have to see when u walk by but you could still walk by with out seeing anytihng and its sad to admit they are still trying to over charge you in there tuff times
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Way back in the 60s & 70s Whole Earth Catalog was the guide for simpler, more intelligent living for many people. I remember reading about a book on doing your own funeral then; it was written by a man whose background was the Quakers. When his wife died because of her wishes, he had made the coffin beforehand (they knew she was dying), they knew what was needed and were prepared. The family pickup truck was used for transport and family and friends followed after to the cemetary. It also said there are cardboard coffins (still true) available, and gave other low tech,low chemical choices. The love and reverence for his wife and for life in general really shone through. I want to be cremated but if I didn’t the thought of all that money for a fancy casket just seems an indulgent frivolity.
The problem with a DYI is that it requires we think and talk about death and funerals before the fact and many people are afraid to do that so they fall into the trap of trusting a funeral director plan everything for them.
i know there are people who want big fancy funerals the same way some people have to have big catered weddings and other parties–I’m just not one of them.
Good topic to bring up BB, people should think about it!
June 25th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Interesting concept. It makes me think that the Inuits had it right. Not sure if this practice is still in place, but there was a time when the elderly Inuits, when they felt their time was near and they were no longer able to be productive and keep up with their families, would simply disappear into the vast expanse of ice, lay down and succumb to the cold, and let the polar bears dispose of their worldly connection. That’s probably an extreme example of a frugal funeral, but if we look around the world to other cultures, we’re likely to see that there are many dignified alternatives to an extravagant and expensive funeral.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Thanks for your insight, Lynda. You make a good point about people not talking in advance about their funeral. This puts the survivors in a compromising spot.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I know you can get discounted mortuary rates for some basic services through the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Los Angeles. The services available include cremation (from $645 to $1,045), direct burial ($880 to 1,350), and burial and service ($1,250 to $3,390) depending on the participating mortuary. Other fees and charges may apply depending on what services they provide. http://losangelesfuneral.wordpress.com/
Even “after death” membership is available. I believe other cities offer membership to similar organizations.
Cemetery charges are totally separate and can be very expensive (buying a plot and/or opening a grave site).
It’s good to know there might be death benefits in certain instances through Social Security, if the person is indigent, or if the person is a veteran. There are contact numbers and more information on the website.