By The Funeral consumers alliance of Greater Cincinnati Inc.
1. Shop around! It sounds simple, but many people call the “ family tradition funeral home.” In other words people say “our family has always used ABC funeral home.” There is a good chance that the funeral home you used has changed owners over the past several years. As a general rule the consumer will get better prices and better options by using a family owned or locally owned funeral home. Even if the death has occurred you have time to call around or shop all the prices on our website as member of our nonprofit consumer group.
2. Consider renting a casket and cremating the body after the visitation and funeral services. This will save you potentially thousands of dollars at the cemetery. Check our site for cemetery prices from over 30 cemeteries in the area.
3. Don’t embalm. The law does not require embalming. This could save you over a thousand dollars. Some funeral homes will allow a small private family visitation without the body having been embalmed. You can always have a closed casket visitation.
4. Shop for caskets and vaults online. Know what the wholesale/mark up price is on the casket and vault you are interested in. Ask the funeral home for a discount or purchase your merchandise online. The funeral home is required by federal law to accept the merchandise without any additional cost.
5. Choose a direct cremation. This gives you the largest array of options on when to host a memorial service and where to host. A direct cremation is simple and low cost. Well under a thousand dollars in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our price survey shows all the direct cremation prices.
6. Have a plan. Preplanning is very important and can help reduce the over spending that is associated with an emotional purchase. A well thought out and recorded plan could save thousands of dollars and make it easier for the survivors.
7. Donate your body to science. Medical colleges accept donations in order to advance the medical sciences. There are restrictions and conditions placed by the medical colleges as to the donation of a dead body. If this is your plan, it is advisable to have a “plan b” in writing. The reason being is if you die of a disease, or your body is deem inacceptable condition, the medical college may not accept your donation.
Who is the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Cincinnati Inc?
Visit www.cincinnatifunerals.org for all the details and prices from over 50 funeral homes in Cincinnati Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Hamilton Ohio and Middletown Ohio funeral homes are also included.