IN Shaler Spring 2019 | Page 20

SPONSORED CONTENT funeral home SPONSORED CONTENT What About Funeral Costs Is the funeral to be public or private? Will cremated remains be buried, entombed, scattered, portioned out, or multiple options? Visitation and viewing? How many death certificates are needed? Religious or Celebrant services? What do you need a death certificate for? Services at the funeral home, church or other place? How much are newspaper death notices? What will the final disposition be? Do I have to have a newspaper notice? Burial or cremation? What are other possible announcement options? If buried, what cemetery or mausoleum? Do we want a funeral luncheon? How much is opening/closing of grave or mausoleum? How much are flowers? Is a burial vault required? Graveside or chapel committal services? How much is a casket, burial vault, headstone, prayer cards, register book, use of facilities, urn, hair dresser, church, organist, soloist, dove release or balloon release? If cremation, what will be done with cremated remains? Do you offer cremation memorial jewelry? How much do I want to do myself? W e get asked all the time, “how much does a funeral cost?” Our answer is always, “It depends.” This is NOT a smart aleck answer. If someone tells you a funeral cost will be X amount of dollars, prepare yourself for “oh, by the way this or that is not included.” Too many factors enter into the discussion for a quick and easy answer. There are a number of questions to help determine of the cost of a funeral. Statistics estimate that a person has to deal with a close family death every 17 years. Think of the numerous changes over those 17 years. Now think of trying to make sound consumer decisions based on information that is almost a generation old. It is nearly impossible. These are just some of the questions that need answered. Sometimes these answers need to be made in a very short period of time. If you have some time to investigate options, by all means do so. People often 18 724.942.0940 to advertise ❘ icmags.com make changes to their plans as they find out about more options and corresponding prices. Most importantly, ask questions. An educated consumer makes good choices. Please ask for a free copy of my Funeral Planning Guide. I wrote this to eliminate as many unanswered questions as possible. This guide is a great resource of options. You can go over this guide privately at home. Use the guide to jot down your ideas and questions. Call me to finish up your plans. This Industry Insight was written by Frank Perman, FD, Supervisor, CFSP, CPC, CCO, CFC. He is the owner of Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 923 Saxonburg Boulevard at Rt. 8 in Shaler Township. Mr. Perman believes an educated consumer makes the most personal, affordable and memorable decisions. Inquiries may be made to him at 412.486.3600 or emailed to [email protected].