
What to Include in a Funeral Program
- Funeral Program Title. ...
- Service Information. ...
- Cover Photo. ...
- Funeral Order of Service (Funeral Outline) The funeral order of service or service outline is a very important part of the program and can be the most time consuming.
- Written Obituary. ...
- Funeral and Memorial Poems. ...
- Funeral Prayers. ...
- Funeral Bible Scriptures. ...
- Funeral Song Lyrics. ...
What is included in the general funeral policy?
The GPL includes prices for the following: Basic services of a funeral director and funeral home staff. Forwarding a loved one to another funeral home. Receiving a loved one from another funeral home. Transferring a loved one to the funeral home. Direct cremation. (Direct cremation is a cremation without a funeral service.
What funeral stationery do I need for my funeral?
Whether you are having a formal funeral service, or an informal memorial service, you can make your program as simple or elaborate as you would like. Many of these elements are also included in Celebration of Life Programs, Homegoing Service Programs as well as other Funeral Stationery including funeral cards and memorial bookmarks.
What expenses are included in a pre-set funeral plan?
Most pre-set plans include: 1 Funeral home expenses 2 The death certificate 3 Clergy expenses 4 The cost of the burial More ...
What is a funeral Order of service or service outline?
The funeral order of service or service outline is a very important part of the program and can be the most time consuming. This tells the guests the events that will take place in the service. You should consult with church officials, your funeral home director before writing your order of service.

Whats the most expensive part of a funeral?
CasketCasket. A casket is often the most expensive item that factors into the average funeral cost.
What is not included in a prepaid funeral?
Some prepaid funeral home plans don't include the casket, headstone, or cemetery plot.
What's included in a funeral service?
A funeral service follows the viewing/visitation and is held at a funeral home, church, or other event space. Traditional funerals usually include elements such as prayers, eulogies, readings, and music. Afterwards, the body is transported by procession to the cemetery/burial location and interred in the grave.
How much is the cheapest funeral cost?
Even the cheapest way to bury a loved one can be expensive This process can be as low as $800, but more typically comes out to around $1,500. An immediate burial doesn't include the cost of a gravesite or the cost of digging the grave.
Is it a good idea to prepay for a funeral?
They urge customers to pay for their own funeral in advance—in order to spare their survivors the trouble and expense, lock in current prices, or shelter their assets from Medicaid. The truth is that it is usually not wise to pay ahead.
Can you use a deceased person's bank account to pay for their funeral?
Many banks have arrangements in place to help pay for funeral expenses from the deceased person's account (you should contact the bank to find out more). You may also need to get access for living expenses, at least until a social welfare payment is awarded.
What is the typical order of a funeral service?
This funeral order of service contains tradition elements of a funeral service such as musical prelude, scriptures, prayers, an obituary reading, musical selections, acknowledgements and a eulogy.
What are the three main types of funeral celebrations?
The most common among these types are traditional funeral service and committal funeral service, also known as graveside service....There are many different types of funerals to consider:Traditional funeral.Graveside or committal funeral service.Direct burial.Direct cremation.
What happens if there is no money for a funeral?
What happens if someone dies with no money or family? If someone dies with no money and no family who can pay for the funeral, the local council or hospital can arrange a Public Health Funeral (also known as a pauper's funeral). This usually takes the form of a short, simple cremation service.
How do you cut funeral costs?
Here are 7 ways to save on funeral expenses:Comparison shop online. ... Skip embalming. ... Decline the “gasketed casket” ... Opt for wood if it's a direct cremation. ... Buy a casket or urn elsewhere. ... Consider a home funeral. ... Donate to a medical school.
Which is cheaper cremation or burial?
When comparing cremation to burial, cremation is usually much cheaper and better for the environment, albeit slightly less traditional than your average burial method. But at the end of the day, both are valid ways to honor your loved one.
What are the pros and cons of a prepaid funeral?
Here are the biggest pros of prepaid funeral plans to determine if they're right for you.Reduce your family's burden. ... Honor your personal decisions. ... Secure an affordable price. ... Choose your funeral home. ... You can't transfer your plan. ... There can be unexpected fees. ... Prepayment doesn't cover all costs.More items...•
What is covered by burial insurance?
Burial insurance covers the cost of your funeral and/or cremation expenses after you pass away. It can also be used at the beneficiary's discretion to pay off debts including any medical bills, mortgage loans, or credit card bills.
Is a prepaid funeral considered an asset?
By purchasing a prepaid funeral contract, you can turn available assets into an exempt asset that won't affect your eligibility. In order for a prepaid funeral contract to be exempt from Medicaid asset rules, the contract must be irrevocable. That means you can't change it or cancel it once it is signed.
Can you name a funeral home as beneficiary?
With final expense, no, a funeral home cannot be your beneficiary, though it can work with a preneed policy. You will probably, however, still want a final expense policy—here's why.
What can you add to funeral clipart?
Funeral and Memorial Clipart can help give your program a well-designed and professional look. You can add borders, frames, flourishes and clipart that honors your loved one to help give your program a personalized look and feel. You can also add clipart to other funeral and memorial stationery. See our article on funeral and memorial clipart.
What is a funeral poem?
Poems are a good way to expess your feelings about your loved one. Funeral poems are frequently read during services and included in programs. You can use the internet to help you find the perfect poem. See ourfuneral poems collectionto help find the the right poem for you.
What is written obituary?
Written Obituary. A written obituary or life tribute is often included. The obituary gives information about the deceased person's life. The obituary can be consise and very general, or very long and detailed. See our article on writing an obituary for funeral programs for more information.
What can be added to a funeral program?
Photo Collages. To help personalize programs, photo collages of families and friends can be added to funeral programs. You can display a timeline of photos of the person being remembered, friends and family members, or the honoree participating in hobbies and interests.
Why are lyrics included in funeral programs?
Song lyrics can be included in programs so that the guests can follow along. If you need help choosing a song that is right for your service, check out our articles onfuneral songs and funeral hymns.
Why are funeral prayers included?
Funeral Prayers. Funeral prayers are often included to offer words of comfort to mourning guests. They may also be included it the prayer is being read aloud at the service. See our article on funeral and memorial prayers.
What is the funeral order of service?
Funeral Order of Service (Funeral Outline) The funeral order of service or service outline is a very important part of the program and can be the most time consuming. This tells the guests the events that will take place in the service. You should consult with church officials, your funeral home director before writing your order of service.
What Affects Funeral and Cremation Costs?
Because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to planning a funeral or memorial service, there are different costs and expenses to consider. Learn what to expect and get your free Guide to Understanding Funeral and Cremation Costs today.
What is the difference between a funeral and a celebration of life?
A celebration of life is similar to a traditional funeral, with the key differences focusing on a more uplifting service with personalized touches and sharing memories of the loved one. In addition to places of worship and funeral homes, preferred venues may also include outdoor areas, homes, hotels, restaurants or clubs. Food and beverages are often offered to large groups of family and friends. Sometimes a celebrant leads the ceremony instead of a clergy member, and more uplifting music is preferred, whether played live or recorded. Burying or scattering of cremated remains and traditional burial are all popular choices. Many of the primary expenses are similar to a traditional funerals, but personal touches like mementos, event planning services, musicians or special venues can counterbalance traditional costs like transportation and visitation.
How much does a funeral cost in 2017?
The median funeral cost in 2017 ranged from $6,260 for a cremation with a viewing and memorial service to $8,755 for a funeral with a viewing and burial, not including cemetery charges. When you add those charges, the total median cost can exceed $10,000.
What are the rooms used in a funeral home?
Use of the funeral home’s chapels, family rooms, visitation rooms, outdoor spaces and reception areas
What is funeral home?
Funeral homes provide comprehensive care to families for any type of disposition or service. Funeral home products and services include: Recovery of the loved one from home, hospital or hospice and into the funeral home’s care at any time, on any day. Funeral services and visitation prior to the service.
How to figure out the cost of a funeral?
To figure the approximate cost of a funeral, first you must ask yourself what kind of funeral you have in mind. A unique life deserves a unique final farewell, and funeral expenses vary depending on a family’s preferences and needs. A traditional funeral honors religious or cultural traditions first and foremost.
How much does it cost to have a cemetery?
According to the nonprofit Funeral Consumers Alliance, the cost for a single burial plot in the United States can be as little as $500 in a small rural cemetery or as much as $5,000 in a privately owned urban cemetery. Interment rights can be bought or sold on the open market in most states, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery.
What are Prepaid Funeral Plans?
A pre-paid funeral is a plan made with a funeral home that’s been paid ahead of time (the money has already been paid or has been set aside for this purpose). There are different ways to do this, depending on your preferences and financial concerns. The plans typically range from $10,000 to $25,000 policy amounts, and are paid for in monthly installments directly to the funeral home.
How to pay for funeral expenses?
One way to pay for your funeral expenses in advance is to purchase a funeral insurance policy, also known as final expense insurance. When buying life insurance policies, you can assign a beneficiary to receive the death benefit, such as a family member, a friend, or anyone else who you trust. Unlike prepaid funeral plans, life insurance benefits can be used for a variety of things, including funeral costs. But the beneficiary can also use them for things like medical expenses, credit card debt, and any utility expenses incurred that month.
How much does a pre-paid funeral cost?
Pre-Paid Funeral Costs & Expenses. Most pre-paid insurance policies range from $10,000 to $25,000. When buying one, you can pay the entire amount up front, or you can arrange to make payments with a three, five, or 10 year plan. In addition to the cost of the funeral, you should expect to pay some other fees.
What does it mean to buy a pre-paid funeral?
When buying a pre-paid funeral plan, you can choose a guaranteed plan that specifies the exact goods and services you want, and the price you agree to is locked in. That means even if prices go up, your loved ones won’t have to pay more. Nonguaranteed plans don’t offer this protection. That means if you choose a casket that costs $3,000, and by the time you pass, the least expensive caskets are $6,000, your loved ones will have to pay the additional $3,000.
How much does a funeral plan cost?
The plans typically range from $10,000 to $25,000 policy amounts, and are paid for in monthly installments directly to the funeral home. Pre-paid funeral plans provide a way for people to pay for their funeral arrangements before they pass.
What can you include in a funeral policy?
After you’ve made a list of everything you want to include in the policy, the funeral home director will arrive at a price, and that will be the basis for your policy.
Why do people set up joint accounts?
When a person dies, his or her assets can be temporarily unavailable – even to a family member – until they settle the estate. Setting up a joint account solves this problem because the survivor on the account has immediate access to the funds. This option is useful only if there is enough money in the account to pay for funeral expenses. If the act of continually making deposits and leaving the balance alone seems difficult to you, another option might be better.

Reflections
Graveside Rememberance
- PLAN C (Visitation Followed by Graveside Services the Following Day) Graveside Remembrance package consists of: 1. Professional services of funeral director and staff 2. Removal of deceased to our facility (up to 30 miles) 3. Professional care and embalming along with other preparation, dressing and casketing 4. Use of equipment and staff for arranging and coordinating service at …
Simplicity Committal Service
- PLAN D (Committal Service with Visitation the same day) Simplicity Committal Service Funeral package consists of: 1. Basic professional services of funeral director and staff 2. Removal of deceased to our facility up to 30 miles (add additional mileage fee of $2.75 per mile if over 30 miles) 3. Professional care and embalming along with other preparation, bathing, dressing and c…
Basic Committal
- PLAN E Basic Committal Service Funeral package consists of: 1. Basic professional services of funeral director and staff 2. Removal of deceased to our facility up to 30 miles (add additional mileage fee of $2.75 per mile if over 30 miles) 3. Professional care and refrigeration (up to 10 days) 4. Preparing and placement of obituary with picture on o...