Funeral Costs in USA trending downward due to Rise in Cremations.

Forbes.com put out some interesting figures recently on the average cost of a funeral in the United States. Funeral Costs in the United States differ by region,and there is some disagreement on the numbers.

One thing is certain the average cost of a funeral overall is going south.  I have declared the average cost of a funeral in 2009 to be $8,500.00 per year. It does not include a burial. That number has been in decline in the first quarter of 2009 and may have to be revised.

Forbes: The typical bill for a burial ranges from $8,000 to $12,000; this includes the thousands of dollars that go toward a cemetery plot, opening a grave, a gravestone and the burial. Cremation costs between $4,000 and $8,000.”

Comment: Funeral + burial numbers are close to the general reality. Cremation costs numbers (including burial)seem somewhat high .

Forbes: “The actual process costs about $400, which is added to the cost of an urn, a service and possibly a niche or burial plot for the ashes.”

Comment:The  crematory’s cost of cremation process is about “$400.oo USD”. That is accurate. I thank Forbes for printing that, because funeral insiders overall keep that number from the public.

Forbes: on Cremation Rates:

In 2009 if there is a Funeral, Consider Cremation and Watch Your Dollars and cents

Arizona (60%)

Florida (53%),

Hawaii (66%)

Washington (64%)

Comment: The numbers on the cremation rates in these States are quite accurate. Although  “Many Sources”put Washington State at a 75% cremation rate.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Cost Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Source: Source  Forbes article at forbes.com titled

Recession-Friendly Rites by
Lauren Streib,  posted 03.24.09, 06:55 PM EDT
The economy takes its toll on the funeral business

Be sure to negotiate your funeral costs and come in under rhe average cost of a Funeral.

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