Am I Going to be Able to Afford this Funeral?
BY JODI M. CLOCK, CCA, CPLP, AUTHOR, IT'S COMPLICATED!
It's the one question everyone asks us, but is too afraid to say out loud. We get it. You've just lost someone you love. Your world is spinning, your heart is broken, and suddenly you're thrown into a high-stakes, confusing conversation that feels completely overwhelming.
In that fog, there is one question that weighs on everyone's mind — but it’s the one you hesitate to ask, worried it makes you seem uncaring or cheap: "Am I going to be able to afford this, or is this funeral home going to take advantage of me?"
Let's cut through the noise and anxiety. We’re not like those other funeral homes. Our job isn't to sell you a package; it's to help you honor a life, affordably and authentically. Here is the real talk on funeral costs.
The Real Answer is "It Depends" — But Here's Why That's Good News
The assumption most people make is that all funerals are prohibitively expensive and that we, the funeral professionals, only offer lavish, one-size-fits-all services. That’s simply not true.
The truth is, nearly every funeral home — especially ours — has options for every single budget, for both burial and cremation. When we say our services aren't cookie-cutter, we mean it. You are in control of the final cost, and you have the power to accept or decline items to keep the cost where you need it to be.
The problem isn't usually the lack of options; it's the fear of asking for the less expensive ones.
Don't Pay for What You Don't Need: Your Declining Rights
When arranging a service, certain items are "usual and customary," but they are often entirely optional. The most common example is embalming (a chemical preservation process).
The Embalming Myth
• The Assumption: You assume embalming is required by law.
• The Reality: It is not legally required in most circumstances. Many cultures and faiths prefer an unembalmed body. We fully support those wishes.
• Why It's Suggested: Embalming is only suggested for viewing purposes, especially if you plan an open-casket visitation that takes place several days after death, or if the deceased was ill. It helps them look more like themselves, not a "shell of who they were." If you skip the open viewing, you can skip the embalming and save money. Always ask if it's necessary for your chosen service.
Saving on Merchandise
Another area where you can easily control costs is the merchandise. Nobody should pressure you into buying a bronze or copper casket when a 20-gauge metal casket is perfectly respectful and costs significantly less. Similarly, choosing a simple grave liner over a highly protective burial vault is an easy way to save. These two actions can and will keep cost inline.
The Real Cost Culprit: It's Rarely the Funeral Home
Here is the biggest piece of information we want you to know: The actual costs that truly add up are typically not from the funeral home; they are incurred by the cemetery or third-party vendors.
These items are added on top of the funeral home's services:
• The Burial Plot (the actual piece of land).
• The Opening and Closing Fee (labor to dig and close the grave).
• The Vault Set and Seal Fee (for placing the vault/liner).
• The Monument or Headstone.
• The Obituary Cost (Newspaper fees are surprisingly high!).
We handle the logistics for all these items, but they are not our profit center. Knowing this lets you shop smart.
Cremation: Stress-Free Honoring on a Budget
Choosing cremation is a fantastic way to honor your loved one while having maximum flexibility on cost.
Here's a major mistake we see: families choose direct cremation (the lowest cost option) and decide to do the memorial service "on their own" later. They end up renting a separate venue, paying for catering, buying decorations, and dealing with all the cleanup.
The result? They often spend more money overall, with significantly more stress.
Ask us about using our funeral home's facility or reception center for your service. We can arrange the memorial, the catering, and the cleanup very affordably — and with our diverse services, we can help you create a meaningful, unique celebration right from the start.
The Price List Pause: We're Not Being Pushy, We're Following the Law
If you come in and ask about price, your funeral director has to present you with a General Price List (GPL) before talking specific numbers.
It’s an awkward moment that can make us look price-focused and pushy, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires it. We’re not trying to upsell you; we’re just following the law.
The Bottom Line: Tell us upfront what your financial situation is. If you have insurance, a budget, or a financial constraint, tell us immediately. We are here to meet your goals, or even come in below them.
There is zero benefit for us to be overpriced, push something you can't afford, or leave your family unhappy. We are here to ensure you can provide an excellent, dignified funeral at a price you can manage. That's how we serve our diverse community, and that's what makes us different.
Call us. Let's talk about the cost, and then let's talk about the life.
(Remember: We offer interest-free pre-payment options! Let's lock in today's price and remove this burden forever.)
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e3bc9d5e-916b-4e4e-a256-417a481c1622/i-woke-up-dead-now-what
Be sure to check out my podcast, “I Woke Up Dead…Now What?” to learn more! Feel free to contact me at askjodiclock@gmail.com and give me a follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram!
Jodi M. Clock is an international speaker and expert on how to help families have a difficult conversation with their loved ones about legacy planning. Having personally witnessed the financial confusion that families endure, especially at an emotionally taxing time, Ms. Clock has centered her career on helping people to understand the options that are available to them. She currently writes and speaks about the basics of Medicaid and asset protection, how to avoid family feuds, end-of-life directives and is a seasoned expert in on pet trusts, as well as their final care. Since 1988 Jodi has worked in the "end-of-life planning" industry including family and corporately owned funeral homes, advance funeral planning companies, casket manufacturers and now practices what she preaches at Clock Funeral Home and Clock Timeless Pets with her husband Dale.
Click here to return to CONTENTS PAGE.
Brought to you by our advertisers:
Our contributors:
Muskegon Magazine.com is locally owned and produced. Gary Scott Beatty, editor and publisher. Contents and design © Copyright Gary Scott Beatty, 1509 Princeton Rd., Muskegon, Michigan 49441. Inquire about advertising here.
Muskegon Magazine.com is an educational and informational service to help you make informed decisions. The content, tools and services of Muskegon Magazine.com are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Privacy.
