Chapter 2: If you are planning a service
Funeral home services: Additional services and fees
There were so many options available – I was overwhelmed and confused by it all.
Additional services and items may be available through the funeral home for purchase or to rent. Click on the switch button to see some of these.
There may be costs for items that are optional or that vary depending on family choices. Examples include:
- A casket, urn, or an outer burial container
- Embalming and preparing the body for viewing
- Use of the funeral home for visitation, viewing, or a funeral service
- Use of equipment and staff for a graveside service
- Use of a hearse
The funeral home may also offer to deal with other businesses or agencies in preparing for the funeral service. Examples include:
- Florists
- Newspapers for the obituary
- Musicians (such as an organist) for the funeral service
- Someone to lead the funeral service (if the funeral home is not handling the service)
- Cemetery (to choose a plot for burial if necessary)
Beware of costs
If you would like the funeral home to take care of these details for you, make sure you know the costs. Some funeral homes charge for the actual costs of these services, while others charge costs plus a handling fee.
Even simple funerals can be very expensive, with costs easily rising to thousands of dollars. If you cannot afford a funeral, you may want to ask whether your province or territory will provide financial assistance; some regions state that every person has a right to a funeral at death.
