What Is Not Included in a Prepaid Funeral?
Uncover the often-overlooked expenses and services not typically included in a standard prepaid funeral plan. Plan smarter.
A prepaid funeral plan covers basic arrangements, easing the burden on loved ones and locking in prices. While offering peace of mind, it is important to understand what is included and, more importantly, what is not. Consumers should carefully review contracts to prevent unexpected financial obligations for family members during a difficult time.
Standard Items Not Covered
Many common expenses are typically not included in a basic prepaid funeral contract because they involve third-party services, government fees, or highly variable costs. Death certificates are an example, with costs varying by state and county, generally ranging from $5 to $25 per copy. Multiple certified copies are often necessary for legal matters such as closing bank accounts, transferring titles, and settling an estate.
Obituary notices published in newspapers are typically not included. Their cost depends on the publication, length, and photo inclusion, ranging from under $100 to over $800, potentially $2,000 in larger areas. Online obituaries might be less expensive or free. Honorariums for clergy or officiants are typically extra, often $100 to $300, and up to $100 for accompanying musicians. If professional pallbearers are needed and are not staff members of the funeral home, their services will also incur additional charges.
Cemetery fees are often excluded from prepaid funeral plans, particularly if the cemetery is a separate entity from the funeral home. These can include the costs for opening and closing the grave, which typically range from $350 to $3,000, and perpetual care fees for ongoing ground maintenance. Perpetual care is often a one-time charge, usually 5% to 15% of the burial plot’s price, or it may be an annual fee. These are excluded because funeral homes do not control these external charges, making it difficult to lock in prices.
Optional Services and Upgrades
Beyond standard funeral services, many elective additions and upgrades are typically not included in a basic prepaid package. These enhancements offer personalization but come with additional costs. Choosing premium merchandise like high-end caskets, specialized urns, or ornate burial vaults adds to the expense. While a basic metal casket might average around $2,500, more elaborate options can cost $5,000 or more, and burial vaults can range from $700 to $7,000.
Specialized body preparation services, such as extensive restorative art or embalming for specific circumstances like international transportation, cost extra. Standard embalming typically costs around $750, but complex cases can incur higher fees. If additional viewing or visitation hours are desired beyond what is standard in a package, these extended periods will also result in extra charges. Requests for unique transportation, such as a horse-drawn carriage or specialized vehicles beyond a standard hearse, which averages around $340, are considered upgrades.
Arranging for specific musical performers or vocalists, rather than using standard recorded music or a provided organist, are also extra. These personalized elements enhance the service but are not part of the core prepaid agreement. These are elective additions, allowing families to customize the funeral experience beyond fundamental services.
Post-Funeral Costs
Expenses that arise after the funeral service itself are almost universally excluded from prepaid funeral contracts. Ongoing cemetery plot maintenance fees are excluded, particularly if the cemetery charges annual or recurring fees beyond any initial perpetual care payment. While perpetual care funds are typically established to cover long-term upkeep, some cemeteries may still levy additional charges for specific maintenance or services.
The cost of a memorial reception or wake, which can include catering, venue rental, and decorations, is also excluded. These gatherings, intended for family and friends to share memories and comfort one another, can range from $400 to $700, excluding food costs, depending on their scale and location. Professional grief counseling services, which provide support to bereaved individuals, are also separate expenses.
Legal and administrative fees associated with estate settlement are distinct from funeral costs. These expenses can include probate court fees, attorney fees for navigating the legal process of distributing assets, and other administrative charges that arise from managing the deceased’s estate. These costs occur after funeral arrangements conclude, pertaining to the legal and financial aftermath of a death.