No one likes to think about dying, but it is a part of life, and like most other aspects of our lives such as getting married, buying a home, and starting a family, we need to develop a plan to address all the changes and adjustments that come with this inevitability. Specifically, pre-planning can bring peace-of-mind to all concerned, especially those we leave behind who are affected most, our families.

With the passing of a loved one, there generally comes a period of difficult financial and emotional burdens which can be all that more traumatizing if there exists no planning for funeral and burial. Pre-planning can relieve most of these burdens and help to ensure that the loved ones we leave behind are allowed to remember and mourn in a peaceful manner, free from the stress and emotional lows that funerals and all they encompass can bring.

Create a Plan

Reducing the number of decisions that your family or others must make once you pass on ensures that your wishes with respect to memorial services, cemetery, and other stipulations can be carried out without guesswork and without adding to the emotional stress of dealing with your loss.

Many factors are involved when planning for a funeral, from the type of memorial service if any, to the final disposition of your remains. To ensure that your wishes are known and followed after your death, create your plan and communicate that plan.

Funeral costs across the nation have risen greatly over the past several decades and Maryland is no exception.  The national median cost of a traditional funeral and burial in 2021 was approximately $7,848 while the median cost of a funeral with cremation was approximately $6,971. Prefunding your funeral arrangements is an integral component of your plan and will take the financial burden off your family members. Left to family members without a plan in place can lead to reactive financial decisions that may ultimately cause harm including the final disposition of your remains that may run counter to your wishes and beliefs.

Another important consideration from a financial planning perspective is the effect of inflation on funeral costs year-over-year. The average inflation rate for funeral costs today is 3.6% which can add a considerable financial burden to your family’s financial security if your death and subsequent funeral is sudden and unexpected.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Where do I start with pre-planning arrangements?

Talk first to friends and other family members who may have prepared their own plans or had recent experiences with funerals arrangements. Identify and survey funeral homes and cemeteries in your area; funeral homes are typically the best source for planning your funeral, as well as with a family lawyer or estate planner if you have one.

Isn’t telling my family what I want enough?

It can be depending upon your situation but putting your plan in writing ensures that your wishes will be honored even if your family situation has changed (i.e., divorce, spouse or partner dies first, etc.) Provide family members and your attorney, if you have one, with copies of your final plan.

What if I change my mind after I have created a funeral plan?

Changes to a funeral plan can and do happen, if you revise your plan, make sure that the family members and others, including your lawyer who were given copies originally receive a copy of your updated plan.

Should I have my funeral plan notarized?

Though not typically done, a notarized funeral plan can be another step to ensuring that your final plan is carried out. Notarizing your plan is a judgement call but could be a viable option depending upon your situation.

Do I have to use a funeral home or other planner?

No, there are no laws stipulating that you are legally required to use a funeral home or any funeral planner, but given the complexities and costs associated with funerals, it is advisable. Most of us have no experience with planning funerals and a professional will ensure all considerations and aspects of a plan are covered.

If I am a veteran, can I be buried for free?

Veterans are entitled to free-of-cost burials in a national cemetery, and there are considerations for the spouse and in some cases, children of the veteran. Burial in a private cemetery means the costs must be covered by the veteran or their, family or executor of their estate. The Veterans Administration will supply a marker free of charge, but the costs for setting the marker are not included. Due to the complexities involved with veteran burial benefits offered by the government, It is best to contact the Veterans Administration directly to determine eligibility and the range of options and constraints as they may apply.  

How much does a casket or coffin cost?

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average price for a standard casket or coffin is currently $2500 and can rise substantially depending upon design, materials used, and even your location. There is also the cost of the burial vault or grave liner that most all cemeteries require.

What is a burial liner or vault and what is the reason for them?

A burial liner or “outer burial container,” is used to enclose a casket within a grave to support the weight of surrounding earth.  This helps to safeguard the burial site against extreme settling or even collapse years later. It is placed in the ground before burial, and the casket is lowered into it during the service.

Are burial vaults or liners required?

Maryland law does not require a vault or liner, but most every cemetery does. Natural burial grounds or cemeteries typically do not require ether one.

What is perpetual care? Is it required?

Perpetual care generally means that the cemetery extends the effort to maintain good repair and upkeep with respect to landscaping and structures. Current Maryland law does not require cemeteries to develop perpetual care programs, but when they are offered, oversight is strict. Many, but not all cemeteries will include a one-time charge or annual fee from all plot owners or their estates to cover these costs. Owners of plots will often contribute additional funds specifically for the maintenance of their plots and the markers, vaults, or mausoleums contained within them.