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How Much Does a Funeral Cost?
The cost of a funeral service consists of expenses from three distinct areas: Professional Expenses, Funeral Merchandise and Cash Advances. Each of these areas are independent of the others and contain elements that are tailored to each family's needs and desires.
Can You Explain Professional Expenses?
Certainly. Professional Expenses are those generated directly by the funeral home. These include:
- Personnel - basic service charge, embalming
- Facilities - use of facilities/equipment for viewing/visitation, graveside, chapel or church ceremony
- Motor Vehicles - transfer from place of death to funeral home, hearse, limousine, and flower van
These charges are directly related to the type of ceremony desired by the family. Each family is provided a price list detailing the offerings of the funeral home and the associated charge. From this list the family selects the type of ceremony/services desired. You can find out more about the services we offer in the Services section.
What is Funeral Merchandise?
Funeral merchandise generally includes the casket, outer burial container (burial vault), acknowledgement cards, register books, and cremation urns. None of this merchandise is required by law, though your cemetery of choice may have certain minimal requirements. Please be sure to check with them prior to making your selections. You can find out more about your alternatives in the Services section.
And the Cash Advance?
Often other companies provide goods and services related to the funeral. These can include cemetery charges, flowers, newspaper notices, death certificate certification, and hairdresser fees. Cauthen Funeral Home will often advance cash to these vendors for these services.
What Else Should I Consider?
When you are arranging a funeral service, you should always keep your budget in mind. Decisions regarding the type of service, quality of funeral merchandise and degree of outside services needed should only be made in light of the budget.
The funeral directors at Cauthen Funeral Home will provide guidance and advice upon request. They will present you with options that you may not have considered.
It often seems enough time is never taken to make all the decisions regarding a funeral. Take whatever time is necessary and make the decisions that are right for your family.
What Do I Need to Arrange a Funeral?
You will need to contact Cauthen Funeral Home and schedule an arrangement conference.
What Will I Need to Bring to the Conference?
Bring the following items to the funeral arrangement conference:
- Decedent's Social Security card
- Any insurance policies
- Veterans Administration Discharge Papers (DD214)
- Burial clothes and underwear
- Deed to cemetery property
What Information is Required?
- List of pallbearers
- Name and address of the executor of the estate
- Decedent's information
- Full Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Birthplace (City/State)
- Armed Forces Branch and Wars Served
- Marital Status and Spouses Full Name
- Occupation
- Kind and Name of Business
- Full Address
- Race
- Level of Education
- Father's Full Name
- Mother's Full Name (including maiden name)
- Your Name
- Your Mailing Address
- Survivor list (name, hometown, relationship)
What Will be Decided at the Conference?
- Location, time and date of ceremony
- Ministers (please provide phone numbers)
- Scriptures to be used
- Music selections
- Cemetary name, plot section & lot number, plot owner's name
- Visitation plans
- Desired memorials and addresses
- Newspaper announcments
- Hairdresser with phone number
- Clothing
- Items for memorial table
- Any other details required
Should I Consider a Prepaid Funeral Contract?
Prepaid funeral contracts are governed by Sections 32-7-10 and 32-7-110 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and are under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Commissioner of Banking. Such contracts offer an individual the opportunity to fully consider his/her needs and wishes ahead of time and to control the cost and nature of the funeral services desired. These contracts vary in terms and coverage and, like any purchase involving a substantial sum of money, be reviewed carefully before execution.
Be sure that the seller of any contract has a current permit from the South Carolina Commissioner of Banking, as this is required by law, that the contract meets the minimum South Carolina legal requirements, and that the proceeds from the contract are trusted in a federally insured financial institution.
Where Does My Money Go?
Your money is to be placed in a trust account identifying the purchaser. This account must be maintained at a federally insured institution (Section 32-7-7-20(H))
Is There More Than One Type of Contract?
There are four types of prepaid contracts:
- Non-Guaranteed Price Contract - revocable
- Guaranteed Price Contract - revocable (inflation proof)
- Non-Guaranteed Price Contract - irrevocable
- Guaranteed Price Contract - irrevocable (inflation proof)
What Happens to the Interest Earned by these Trust Accounts?
The interest earned from a trusted prepaid account remains with the account.
Is the Earned Interest Taxable?
Yes; according to the IRS the purchaser of any prepaid contract is responsible for any taxes on interest.
What If I Change My Mind?
Any of the contract types can be nullified within the thirty day cancellation period. After than period, only the revocable contracts may be cancelled or changed.
What If I Want to Change Funeral Homes?
You may transfer any of the prepaid contracts from one funeral establishment to another as long as both are licensed by the South Carolina Commissioner of Banking.
What If Death Occurs Before the the Prepaid Contract is Paid In Full?
On a deposit arrangement, any unpaid balance would become due at the time services are rendered.
Will My Contract Cover My Final Expenses?
If you have either of the guaranteed contracts, you are entitled to receive all the items shown on the contract at no additional charge, if the terms of the contract have been met. There may be additional charges for items that are not part of the prepaid contract, such as cemetery fees, flowers, beautician, and out-of-town transportation. You should discuss with the seller items which are not covered by the contract.
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