Who’s Responsible For Funeral Expenses

There are many answers to the question of “Who pays for a funeral?” Paying for a funeral can be very expensive and a huge burden on family members. Some seniors prepay for funerals and their family simply shows up at the funeral home, provides the funeral director with some pertinent information, learns of their family member’s wishes, and signs some forms. In other situations, a hat may be passed at the funeral requesting funds.

When my mother passed, her funeral costs were completely prepaid. She had purchased a funeral package from a cemetery that included everything she wanted. When Carmen’s father passed, the funeral payment was different. Carmen hadn’t seen her father for over a decade. Her father had long since remarried and raised another family. When the funeral ended, relatives came around and asked us to pay for the funeral. Some clarification resulted in a request to help pay for the funeral and we contributed.

Who Pays For Prepaid Funerals

My mother prepaid her funeral expenses.

The package included funds covering:

The costs ran about $7,500. By prepaying the family had an opportunity to mourn and reminisce. Had plans not been made and prepaid, family members would have been scrambling to figure out what to do, where to do it, and how to pay for it.

Non Prepaid Funerals

If funeral expenses are not prepaid, whoever takes responsibility for planning the funeral needs to come up with the funds. Funeral homes and cemeteries insist on getting paid, and usually before they provide services.

When Carmen’s mother passed and my father passed, they had made no funeral plans. Both said they wanted to be cremated. Both were essentially broke: without savings to cover funeral or other estate costs.

Carmen’s mother worked as a coat check worker at a country club. My father was a physician with over 80 scientific publications to his name. They treated their funeral planning the same. They left it for others to deal with.

Seniors Should Prepay For Their Funerals

CarePlanIt believes the Ager is responsible for funeral planning and expenses. See Funeral Planning Section for what this entails.

As for costs, there’s no crime for being broke. But as an Ager, you’ve had 30, 40, 50 years to save some money. If you don’t have any money, let your family know. Tell them you’ve had a lifetime to plan and save and didn’t. Tell them you don’t expect them to do for you what you didn’t for yourself. Tell them you’re willing to have whatever they think is best.

If you’re honest with your family, it’s very likely your family will give you a decent burial or cremation. That’s what family does.