How Much Do Funeral Homes Charge for an Obituary?
Demystify obituary expenses. Learn how funeral homes charge for publication and explore cost-effective alternatives for your loved one's notice.
Obituaries serve as a significant way to announce a death and honor a person’s life, providing a public record and a space for remembrance. While they convey important information about services and a person’s history, the financial aspect of publishing an obituary can be a consideration for many families. Understanding the various costs involved helps in making informed decisions during a challenging time.
Factors Influencing Obituary Costs
The cost of publishing an obituary varies significantly based on the publication medium. Traditional newspapers, which often have both print and online editions, typically charge based on the notice’s length. This length is usually measured per line, per word, or by column inch, meaning that longer tributes incur higher charges. For instance, a short obituary might cost under $100, while a more extensive one could range from $800 to $2,000 or more in larger metropolitan areas.
The content included in an obituary also directly impacts its price. Adding photographs, special symbols, or extending biographical details increases the overall cost. Photo fees alone can range from approximately $15 to $250. Geographic location plays a substantial role, as newspapers in larger cities generally have higher rates compared to those in smaller towns. Some newspapers may also have specific deadlines for submission.
How Funeral Homes Handle Obituary Charges
Funeral homes assist families with drafting, editing, and submitting obituaries to various publications. Their role streamlines the process, as they often have established relationships with local newspapers and understand submission guidelines and deadlines. This service can alleviate some of the burden on grieving families.
While funeral homes facilitate the submission, they pass through the publication cost from the newspaper or online platform directly to the family. In addition to this pass-through cost, a funeral home may apply an administrative or service fee for coordinating the submission and handling logistics. It is beneficial for families to request an itemized breakdown of charges to differentiate between the publisher’s direct fee and any administrative costs added by the funeral home. Obituary services might be offered as an a la carte option, or in some cases, a basic online obituary on the funeral home’s own website may be included as part of a broader funeral service package.
Alternative Publication Options
Families have several alternatives for publishing an obituary, which can offer flexibility and potentially reduce costs. One option is to contact newspapers directly to submit and pay for the obituary themselves, bypassing any administrative fees a funeral home might charge for this specific service. Many newspapers provide guidelines and submission portals on their websites for direct family submissions.
Online obituary platforms offer another widely used alternative, with many dedicated memorial websites available. Some of these platforms provide free basic listings, while others charge a fee for enhanced features like additional photos, longer text, or interactive guestbooks. These online options can be a cost-effective way to share information broadly, sometimes with a one-time fee ranging from $50 to $100 for paid services. Personal social media accounts or self-created websites offer informal and free avenues for announcing a death and sharing memorial details with a wider network.