5 tips from Tampa Bay funeral directors on how to plan for death (2024)

Funerals are often large and unanticipated expenses that can leave families scrambling for money and plans at a time of immense grief.

Last year, the average cost of a full-service cremation in the U.S. was around $6,300, while the average burial cost was $8,300.

Experts in the “death care” industry say it’s important to have conversations with your loved ones about how they’d like to be honored, long before the day arrives. Doing so will help the people you leave behind celebrate your life without the burden of cost and uncertainty.

Here are 5 tips from Tampa Bay funeral directors to help you get started.

Don’t shy away from the topic

Talking about death with your loved ones might feel daunting, said Arin Rudd, lead funeral director of Florida Mortuary Funeral & Cremation Services in Tampa, but it can help to think of the conversation as an act of kindness to those left behind.

“If you’re going to buy a house, you plan for it. If you’re going to get married, you plan for it,” said Rudd. “This is one of those big life events where if you don’t plan, your family is going to be left to piece together answers in the moment.”

Rudd recommends starting the conversation by asking someone if they’ve thought about how they might like to be memorialized or remembered — or offering up wishes of your own.

“If we’re guaranteed one thing, it’s that we’re going to die,” Rudd said. “Planning never made death come quicker.”

Consider your options — and a payment plan

Long gone are the limitations of a traditional burial, though it’s certainly still an option.

Today, you can have your remains turned into jewelry or remembrance stones. Maybe you’d like a green burial? Or to scatter your ashes at sea? There’s even the possibility of DNA preservation.

Most funeral homes offer free planning sessions that give people the chance to walk through options. The sessions are educational in nature, but as you get closer to deciding what you’d like, a funeral director can help you put your wishes into writing.

They can also outline the price.

Once you’ve selected your arrangements, funeral directors recommend setting up a payment plan. Doing so will help ensure your family doesn’t absorb the monetary burden after you’re gone. It also locks in the cost, which can save you money in the long run. Experts say services tend to double in price every 10 years.

“A few years ago, I did a full service burial for a woman and the pre-arrangements were from 1989,” said Suzie Baumann, lead funeral director of Anderson-McQueen Tyrone Family Tribute Center in St. Petersburg. “She had paid less than $2,000, but at today’s price, the service would have cost well over $14,000. What a gift to give your family to not have to take that on.”

5 tips from Tampa Bay funeral directors on how to plan for death (1)

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Explore all your options

If you’re interested in donating your body to medicine, instead of going through a local funeral home, check out United Tissue Network and ScienceCare. These programs typically provide free cremation once your remains are done being used for scientific research. You can enroll online if you are 18 years or older.

Finally, if money is a concern, most Florida counties provide basic burial and cremation assistance for families living below the poverty line — though there are conditions to qualify. If you or someone you know is in need, search “burial assistance program” and the name of the county where you reside online, or call the county office.

Ask a lot of questions

What happens to your body if you die at home versus at a hospital? How do your remains get to the funeral home? What happens once they are there?

“A lot of people haven’t been through this before, and they can be intimidated by the process,” Rudd said. “It’s our job to help guide you. We’re here to answer.”

Most importantly, make sure you understand pricing. Before signing a contract, ask what expenses are included in the package — and, more importantly, ask what’s not included.

If you’re signing onto a payment plan, make sure you understand the terms. Make sure to ask what will happen if you die before your payments are complete, or if the funeral home were to change ownership.

If your loved one has already passed

While planning ahead can help alleviate the emotional and financial stress that comes when a loved one dies, only 17% of people 40 and older have pre-planned arrangements in place, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. More often than not, families are calling funeral homes after a death has occurred to make arrangements.

If you find yourself in this position, fear not. Funeral directors are there to help.

Offerings vary drastically from funeral home to funeral home — and so does the price. After a death, call around to multiple homes to find one that can meet your needs, and be honest about your budget. The cost of cremation at one home might start at $3,500, while another could start at $1,200.

“When deciding, pay attention to who is taking the time to answer your questions and offer condolences,” said Brittany Walker, funeral director at A Life Tribute Funeral Care in Largo. “Go with the person that is making you feel comfortable and cared for.”

Don’t forget your will

Funeral homes don’t handle wills or estate planning, but making sure you have a legal will is an important step you can take to reduce the stress on your loved ones after your passing.

Estate lawyers can help you lay out your plans, but it’s also possibly to make a will without a lawyer, and there are online services that can help you.

Check out this guide from the National Council on Aging for instructions.

5 tips from Tampa Bay funeral directors on how to plan for death (2024)

FAQs

How much do you tip a funeral director? ›

Funeral directors typically do not receive gratuities. However, it's customary to thank the funeral director with a thank-you note, and by leaving a positive review for the funeral home online.

How do you plan a sudden death funeral? ›

Make funeral arrangements.

The first step is figuring out whether the deceased had made plans for a funeral. If so, you'll need to find those plans — the family's attorney may be able to help on that front. An untimely death could leave you with zero planning, so talk with family members about how to honor that person.

How do you plan a perfect funeral? ›

Table Of Contents
  1. Choose a funeral home.
  2. Decide on burial or cremation.
  3. Consider the type of service.
  4. Plan your funeral service details.
  5. Select your casket or urn.
  6. Select a burial plots.
  7. Write your obituary.
  8. Share your final wishes.
Jun 29, 2024

How do you make a death plan? ›

Ultimate end of life planning checklist
  1. Prepare your end of life planning documents.
  2. Decide between a Will or Trust.
  3. Make a list of your assets.
  4. Determine end of life housing plans.
  5. Write down your final wishes including funeral plans and burial arrangements.
  6. Create an obituary and/or death notice.

How do I prepare for my death checklist? ›

How to prepare for a death: a practical checklist
  1. Write your last will and testament.
  2. Communicate your funeral wishes.
  3. Document all of your passwords.
  4. Share locations for important paperwork.
  5. Make a list of who needs to be told.
  6. Consider your social media accounts.
  7. Make sure your car isn't parked on the road.

Do you pay pallbearers? ›

Cash advances are fees charged by the funeral home for goods and services it buys from outside vendors on your behalf, including flowers, obituary notices, pallbearers, officiating clergy, and organists and soloists.

Do pallbearers get paid? ›

As of Aug 3, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Pallbearer in the United States is $26.34 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $61.78 and as low as $8.89, the majority of Pallbearer wages currently range between $15.14 (25th percentile) to $30.77 (75th percentile) across the United States.

Is being a pallbearer an honor? ›

In conclusion, being a pallbearer is a significant honor and responsibility. It requires one to bear the weight of the deceased, both physically and emotionally, and to serve as a source of comfort and support for those who are grieving.

What is the first thing to go when someone dies? ›

But if your relative died at home, especially if the death was unexpected, you'll need to get a medical professional to declare them dead. To do this, call 911 soon after your loved one passes and have them transported to an emergency room, where they can be declared dead and moved to a funeral home.

What is the cheapest funeral plan? ›

Direct Cremation: This is the cheapest funeral there is, as with direct cremation; not only is there no service, but grave space is also unnecessary.

What is the first thing to do when planning a funeral? ›

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Funeral Service
  1. Contact the decedent's legal representative.
  2. Arrange for transportation of the decedent.
  3. Carry out any pre-arranged funeral plans.
  4. Decide on funeral type, service and burial.
  5. Confirm cemetery arrangements.
  6. Decide on any other memorial service details.
  7. Arrange for an obituary.

What are three things that you think need to be planned before a funeral? ›

In general, there are three main areas that you may need to attend to: finances, household logistics, and emotional preparation.

What makes a good funeral? ›

It should reflect the person in every moment. It should bring people together and strengthen the bonds of support. A good funeral will deliver a true celebration of a unique life.

What is the first step in making funeral arrangements? ›

Step 1: Locate any pre-arrangements

If your loved one made any pre-arrangements – like paying for funeral plots, buying funeral insurance to cover some or all of the costs, or simply writing down their wishes for memorial services – locate the information.

How soon after death are funeral arrangements made? ›

On average, American funerals take place within one week or less from the death of a loved one. With help from a funeral home like the Neptune Society, a week is often enough time to make the necessary arrangements and contact the relatives who should be in attendance.

How much should you spend on a funeral arrangement? ›

Funeral costs by state
StateMedian burial costMedian cremation cost
California$7,225$6,028
Colorado$6,888$5,694
Connecticut$7,881$7,069
Delaware$7,800$7,070
46 more rows
Apr 19, 2024

What are the most typical funeral arrangements? ›

Some are made of traditional funeral flowers such as lilies, carnations, and orchids. You can also get custom-made bouquets to give them a more personal touch. These bouquets are often placed into baskets which will surround the casket during the service. Some are also designed to go onto tables and stands, too.

References

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