At the end...
By Greg Smith
At the end you have to make a decision The choices available to the consumer today when considering funeral arrangements are vast and varied.
T
he starkest example is an unattended cremation for $2,200. From that low you go to a high of a burial service with a church service prior. That can cost $30,000 (or more) – these are the extremes. In contemplating the decision of the funeral, share your thoughts with your family. Make an enquiry with three directors. – ie, get three quotations.
Feel comfortable with the director If you have an unpleasant experience, go elsewhere. Chances are, the service you get at the end of the phone will be the service you get on the ‘big day.’ Pay in advance. Some directors will offer a payment plan, ie. an $8,000 funeral paid off weekly over two years will cost you around $80 per week.
www.masons.org.au
In the end, focus on celebrating a life.
Things to consider: R Do I want to be cremated or buried? R How much am I prepared to pay? A few directors out there are a little pricey but it is all in obtaining quotations and being 100% happy with your director. R Where will my funeral be held? Check out venues – Crematorium chapels, churches, community halls and clubs.
Why are there so many choices? Many funeral directors do not own their own premises and just work out of a briefcase and their home. They sub-contract all the services out – mortuary ambulances, hire cars, hearses, a mortuary, and staff can all be hired from other sources. This is why funeral pricing is so varied. In the end, focus on celebrating a life. Each of us as a human being has had a life with successes and challenges. The challenges can be acknowledged but more importantly, everything a person has achieved needs to be stated in the ceremony. People want to be reminded of how you might have helped someone along the way. There can still be prayer, songs, and pictures. These things make part of the funeral. The best funeral is the one where the congregation walks away from the day saying they were glad they made the effort to come to the event. There are a lot of choices and there are a lot of different ‘horses for courses.’ Take the time now to find the right director for you.
September 2020
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