Ways to save a little when planning a funeral
KIRKLAND, Wash -- Death is inevitable. When that time comes for a loved one, will you be ready?
Will cultural or religious beliefs guide you, or will your checking account be your guide? If you're among the latter, you may be among the majority in our state who choose cremation.
The cost of any funeral can skyrocket into the tens of thousands of dollars -- unless you talk to Steve Barton.
"I feel like we are absolutely providing any service they want at a rate that's not out of anybody's reach," Barton said.
Barton spent a dozen years as a funeral director for a large corporation. He says he didn't like what he saw, so he went off on his own.
"It seemed to become a lot of arm twisting tactics to, or guilt tactics to get someone to buy more than maybe they would have," he said.
There's nothing wrong with being frugal.
"People are doing a lot more shopping now," he says. "They'll call and make a lot of phone calls, sometimes at the death bed. And be calling and asking for pricing information."
Locally, most people choose cremation. More than 70 percent of the deaths in Kitsap, Thurston and Snohomish counties end in cremation.
Sixty-eight percent choose it in King County, while 63 percent in Pierce County.
"We do a direct cremation for $695 dollars -- we've seen them as high as $4,000," Barton said.
Barton's $695 price includes a basic plastic urn, but if you'd like to go a little more decorative, there are other options, such as ones that would include a clock which hides remains behind its face.
Cady Cremation Services in Kent charges $675. It's less than half that -- just $299 -- at Edwards Memorial in Pierce County.
But that's only for Pierce County residents. There's no urn, and the ashes are scattered in Puget Sound. Outside Pierce County, Edwards charges $550.
"It's critical that people talk with their family about they would like to have happen," Barton said.
Let your family know if you want burial or cremation. You can even sign a cremation authorization before you die.
And then there's the death certificate: Get the information you need now. Do you know the deceased father's full name and mother's maiden name, Social Security number, place of birth and education?
The funeral rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone.
For more information on those rules, go to www.ftc.gov
Will cultural or religious beliefs guide you, or will your checking account be your guide? If you're among the latter, you may be among the majority in our state who choose cremation.
The cost of any funeral can skyrocket into the tens of thousands of dollars -- unless you talk to Steve Barton.
"I feel like we are absolutely providing any service they want at a rate that's not out of anybody's reach," Barton said.
Barton spent a dozen years as a funeral director for a large corporation. He says he didn't like what he saw, so he went off on his own.
"It seemed to become a lot of arm twisting tactics to, or guilt tactics to get someone to buy more than maybe they would have," he said.
There's nothing wrong with being frugal.
"People are doing a lot more shopping now," he says. "They'll call and make a lot of phone calls, sometimes at the death bed. And be calling and asking for pricing information."
Locally, most people choose cremation. More than 70 percent of the deaths in Kitsap, Thurston and Snohomish counties end in cremation.
Sixty-eight percent choose it in King County, while 63 percent in Pierce County.
"We do a direct cremation for $695 dollars -- we've seen them as high as $4,000," Barton said.
Barton's $695 price includes a basic plastic urn, but if you'd like to go a little more decorative, there are other options, such as ones that would include a clock which hides remains behind its face.
Cady Cremation Services in Kent charges $675. It's less than half that -- just $299 -- at Edwards Memorial in Pierce County.
But that's only for Pierce County residents. There's no urn, and the ashes are scattered in Puget Sound. Outside Pierce County, Edwards charges $550.
"It's critical that people talk with their family about they would like to have happen," Barton said.
Let your family know if you want burial or cremation. You can even sign a cremation authorization before you die.
And then there's the death certificate: Get the information you need now. Do you know the deceased father's full name and mother's maiden name, Social Security number, place of birth and education?
The funeral rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone.
For more information on those rules, go to www.ftc.gov