Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 21, 2022 avvya yavvy eniiooravvy S iorn or vvy io iori by Jim Miller How Much Does an Average Funeral Cost? Dear Savvy Senior, How much does a typical funeral and body burial cost today? My wife and I are interested in prearranging our funerals but would like to have a cost idea before going in so we can plan and budget appropriately. Planning Ahead Dear Planning, It definitely pays to know what charges to expect when pre-planning a funeral. Most people don’t have a clue and can often be upsold thousands of dollars’ worth of extra services they may not want or need. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect. Funeral Prices The fi rst thing you need to be aware of is that funeral costs will vary considerably depending on your geographic location, the funeral home you choose and the funeral choices you make. With that said, here’s a breakdown of what an average funeral costs, nationwide, according to the most recent data from the National Funeral Directors Association. Professional services fee: This is a basic non-declinable fee that covers the funeral provider’s time, expertise and overhead: $2,300. Transfer of the remains: This is for picking up the body and taking it to the funeral home: $350 Embalming and body preparation: Embalming is usually mandatory for open-casket viewing, otherwise it’s not required unless the body is going to be transported across state lines. Embalming costs $775. Other body preparations, which includes hairdressing and cosmetics runs $275. Funeral viewing and ceremony: If the viewing and funeral ceremony is at the funeral home, you’ll be charged for use of the chapel and any necessary staff . Costs: $450 for viewing, and $515 for funeral ceremony. Metal casket: This is a big money maker for funeral homes, with markups of up to 300 percent over the wholesale price: $2,500. Funeral transportation: Use of hearse and driver; $325 to transport the body to the cemetery. Use of a service car/van: $150. Memorial printed package: This includes printed programs and memorial guest book: $183. In addition to these costs, there are also a number of cemetery costs like the plot or mausoleum fee, the vault or grave liner that most cemeteries require, and the opening and closing of the grave, all of which can run between $2,000 and $3,000; and the gravestone, which typically runs between $1,000 and $3,000. You’ll also need to budget for related expenses like fl owers for the funeral ($200 to $400), the newspaper obituary fee ($100 to $800 or more), the clergy honorarium ($200 to $300) and extra copies of the death certifi cate ($5 to $35 per copy depending on the state). All told, the average cost of a total U.S. funeral today with viewing and cemetery burial is around $12,000. Ways to Save If this is more than you’re willing or able to pay, there are ways to save. For starters, you should know that prices can vary signifi - cantly by funeral provider, so it’s wise to shop around. If you need some help, there are websites you can turn to like Parting.com that lets you easily compare prices online based on what you want. When evaluating funeral providers, be sure you get an itemized price list of services and products so you can accurately compare and choose what you want. The most signifi cant way to save is to request a “direct burial” or “direct cremation.” With these options you and your wife would be buried or cremated shortly after death, which skips the embalming and viewing. If you want a memorial service, you can have it at the graveside or at your place of worship without the body. These services usually run between $1,000 and $3,000, not counting cemetery charges. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. T Costumed Cleanup of the Malden River Join in on a Malden River cleanup! For this cleanup, costumes are encouraged! D ate & time: Sun, October 23, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Location: Idle Hands Craft Ales, 89 Commercial St., Malden Once again, Idle Hands and the Friends of the Malden River are joining forces for a Malden River cleanup! This will be the fi nal clean up in 2022, and to get everyone in the Halloween spirit they are encouraging everyone to come in costume! The fi rst 50 registrations will receive an 8 oz. pour of beer post-cleanup! Attendees will be meeting at the Taproom at 9:45 a.m. on October 23 before walking down the to the banks of the Malden River for the cleanup. Information fl yer This is a free event, but registration is highly recommended and open to all ages. You must be 21+ to enjoy beer after the cleanup. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeves and hats and to bring their own sunscreen. There will be gloves for participants, but you can bring your own. Please bring your own water bottle. Malden Recycling Day! Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day he Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a recycling day for a variety of items – including tires, televisions, computer monitors, household batteries, expired fi re extinguishers, electronic waste, compact fl uorescent bulbs and car batteries – on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Residents of Malden will be able to bring recyclable items to the DPW (356 Commercial St.) from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Paint will be recycled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; oil paints as well as stains and varnishes will be accepted. However, anInformational fl yer tifreeze, household hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals or other hazardous materials will OBITUARY Joseph Perrone, Jr. Of Lynn, formerly of Malden. Passed away on October 12th. Devoted husband of the late Mary C. (MacAulay) Perrone. Beloved father of Joseph L. Perrone and his wife Emily of Middleton, Brother of Loretta Rogodzinski and her husband Robert Malden and Gaetano Perrone and his wife Patricia of New Mexico. Cherished grandfather of Vincent and Adeline Perrone. Late member of the Wakefi eld Elks and 32 year employee of the United States Postal Service at their North Reading facility. Family and friends were invitCARPENTERS FOR ALL JOBS & LANDSCAPE SERVICES * Re-Tile Your Kitchen or Bathroom * Remodeling, Painting, Masonry, Stairs, Plumbing, Walkways, Decks, Additions, Finish Work, Power Washing, Roofing Call Richie for a FREE ESTIMATE (617) 828-3888 or: THEMOUNTAIN1@HOTMAIL.COM Licensed & Insured “We Knockout The Competition” For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@ advocatenews.net ed to attend Visiting Hours in the Carroll Funeral Home, Malden on Monday, October 17th. A Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, Malden on Tuesday. Services concluded with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. The family suggests that in lieu of fl owers, memorial contributions be made to the American Leukemia Society at www.lls.org. not be accepted. FEE SCHEDULE: Car tires: $3; truck tires: $20; TVs and computer monitors: $25; car batteries: $1; motor oil (per gallon): $1 (no antifreeze or transmission fl uid); used oil fi lters: $2.50; fi re extinguishers: $10. PAINT FEE SCHEDULE: 1-5 gallons: $10; 6-10 gallons: $15; 11-15 gallons: $20; 16-20 gallons: $25 ($3 per gallon after 20 gallons). For more information about Recycling Day, please contact the DPW at 781-397-7160 or email dpw@cityofmalden.org.
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