funeral costs

Can You Get Cheap Coffins at Costco?

September 14, 2018 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

If you need to plan a funeral, one of your biggest single expenses will be the casket. On average, a metal casket costs $2,400. However, if you opt for high-end materials, such as bronze, copper, or mahogany, the price can skyrocket, reaching up to $10,000.

While Costco is known for offering a wide variety of good at affordable prices. Many customers don’t realize the full scope of what the company provides. The store’s website is vast, so it’s unrealistic to explore everything that is available until there is a need.

However, since Costco tends to have reasonable prices. Many turn to the retailer when they need to save. And, if you need to prepare a funeral service. You may find yourself wondering, “Are there Costco caskets?”

Does Costco Sell Caskets?

In short, yes, there is such a thing as Costco caskets. The store’s selection is fairly minimal. They usually only comprise of a few options. However, they do have the potential to meet the needs of most people. There are a few colors and styles from which to choose.

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Are Costco Caskets Affordable?

In comparison to the $2,400 average for a metal casket. The ones available through Costco are affordable. You can find a metal casket on Costco’s website for under $1,000, though some options are closer to $1350.

Costco also has a solid wood casket on their website. The price is around $1,800.

All of the prices for Costco caskets include shipping and handling. The only additional charge would potentially be sales tax.

How Do You Order a Casket from Costco?

One of the easiest options is to complete your purchase online. However, the order completion process is a little different from a standard one.

First, Costco requests that you contact the casket manufacturer before making a purchase. This allows you to confirm the availability of your selection in advance. Then set up a delivery option. To make this process easier, Costco has the number listed on their website.

Once you confirm availability, there are other steps that vary from a traditional order experience. For example, when you enter the shipping information, you need to use the first and last name of the deceased. Additionally, you place the mortuary or funeral homes name in the “company name” area. Also include their address in the “address” section, and their phone number in the “phone number section.”

The billing address information needs to match the person who is making the purchase.

How Long Does It Take to Arrive?

If you order a Costco casket before 10:00 am Pacific Time, it will arrive by 5:00 pm in your time zone after three business days. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding any holidays.

For example, if you order a casket before 10:00 am Pacific Time on Tuesday, it will arrive by 5:00 pm local time on Friday. If you place the same order after 10:00 am on Tuesday, the casket won’t arrive until Monday.

Additionally, someone must be present to accept the delivery when it arrives. Typically, if you are using a funeral home, an employee will be able to handle the incoming delivery. However, if you are sending the casket to another location, you may need to set someone up to be available when the delivery arrives.

Can Anyone Buy a Costco Casket?

Sadly, no, not everyone can buy a casket from Costco.

First and foremost, the purchaser’s address and shipping address must be in one of the 38 states where Costco is allowed to sell caskets or in the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.). Here is a full list of the eligible states:

Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

This means both your bill-to and ship-to addresses must be in one of those areas. However, they don’t have to be in the same one. For example, your bill-to address could be in Washington while your ship-to address could be in Texas.

Additionally, to purchase a Costco casket, you must be a Costco member.

Can a Funeral Home Refuse to Let You Use a Costco Casket?

In short, no. Funeral homes must adhere to rules outlined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), including that they must accept any casket a family buys, including those from outside sources. Additionally, they cannot charge you a fee solely for not purchasing a casket from the funeral home.

However, it is wise to inform the funeral home of your purchase within one business day, especially if they will be receiving the delivery. This ensures someone will be available and that they no to anticipate its arrival.

Can You Return a Costco Casket?

Costco will only accept casket returns if the item was damaged during shipping. If that occurs, you have to contact Costco customer service to make arrangements, as caskets cannot be returned at warehouse stores.

However, if there is no damage, you cannot return the casket to Costco.

Is Ordering a Casket for Preplanning Allowed?

No, the manufacturer cannot support preplanning orders. They cannot hold a shipment until a future date, so they will only accept orders that can ship to a funeral home, mortuary, or other approved location immediately.

Should You Buy a Costco Casket?

Ultimately, choosing a casket is a very personal experience. Only you can decide if what they have available is right for you, your dearly departed, and your family.

Before you decide, explore what Costco has to offer. Read the casket specifications to make sure the size and weight limits meet your needs, and even read reviews left by other buyers.

You should also feel free to comparison shop. While Costco caskets are affordable, there are a variety of options out there, including many online.

For example, you can also buy caskets from Amazon, and many of their offerings are reasonably affordable.

As with any online shopping experience, make sure to read the descriptions thoroughly, especially since returning a casket usually isn’t a possibility unless there is shipping-related damage. If, after reviewing the information, you believe you found a suitable option, then don’t hesitate to move forward with your purchase.

Have you ever purchased a casket from Costco? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

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10 Financial Hacks for a Funeral

September 13, 2018 By Tamila McDonald 1 Comment

Funerals can be one of the largest expenses in life, costing as much as $10,000 for just the casket and thousands more if you have a viewing and burial. Considering that the Social Security Death Benefit is only $255 (and not everyone has access to that assistance), it’s no surprise that many struggle to afford even an average funeral. Fortunately, there are ways to help lower the cost of a funeral, including some funeral alternatives that may meet your needs.

1. Consider Cremation with a Service

If you want to have a viewing, but are also open to cremation, then you do have lower cost options. Typically, you can rent a casket from the funeral home for the visitation and funeral service, and have the cremation using a standard, unfinished wooden box.

This can bring the total cost down to between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on your location and the services you select.

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2. Explore Direct Cremation As One of Many Funeral Alternatives

If you don’t need to have a formal ceremony and viewing, then a direct cremation can be a suitable funeral alternative. Typically, this is the least expensive option available, potentially costing as little as $1,000.

While a funeral home may attempt to sell you a casket for a direct cremation, you don’t have to buy one. Instead, you can use the base container in the package, such as an unfinished wood box, or container made from cardboard, canvas or pressboard.

3. Shop Around Before Selecting a Funeral Home

Each funeral home sets their own prices, so you may be able to find a better deal by shopping around. Contact local funeral homes and request a general price list as well as package prices. Then, compare what they have to offer and choose one that meets your needs.

As you explore your options, take time to look at any reviews you can find. At times, using a particular funeral home may come with lackluster customer service, so you do need to consider that before making a decision.

4. Examine Direct Burial Options

A direct burial is usually the least expensive service through a funeral home. It does not include embalming or visitation, but can be coupled with a graveside service for an additional fee.

However, you may not have much time to plan for a direct burial. Since there is no embalming, you are working against the clock, so you may need to explore this option in advance.

5. Select an Economical Casket

Since a casket can be a significant portion of the total cost for a funeral, finding an economical option can help lower your cost. High-end materials and certain features come at a premium, but they aren’t typically necessary.

For example, a gasketed casket is often an upsell. It includes a rubber gasket that is meant to seal the casket against the elements. However, that feature isn’t necessary and doesn’t actually preserve the body; it only slows natural decomposition.

Plus, you don’t have to purchase a casket from a funeral home, even if you intend to use their other services. This means you might be able to save by exploring alternative sellers. For example, Costco and Amazon sell affordable caskets.

If you order online, make sure you are mindful of the shipping times. Caskets are large items, so they typically take more than a couple of days to arrive.

6. Donate the Body to Science

Another funeral alternative involves donating the body to science. If you select this route, a burial or cremation becomes unnecessary. Instead, the body assists with scientific advancement, education, or medical research.

It’s important to note that, once a body is donated, the family does not have much say in how the organization uses it. However, if the body goes to a medical school, most students are taught to treat it with respect. If this route seems right to you and your family, then you can contact medical schools to learn more about their programs. In some cases, schools will include a free cremation in exchange for the donation, allowing you to receive the remains in the end.

7. Hold the Funeral at an Economical Location

Choosing to host the visitation or funeral somewhere other than a funeral home can be a cost-effective approach. For example, holding the service at a family member’s home can be one of the least expensive options.

Alternatively, having the service at a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple may also cost less. However, each location controls their own schedule and pricing, so you’ll need to contact them directly to see if they can accommodate the service and to find out about the expense.

8. Forgo the Flowers

While flowers may be pretty, they aren’t always cheap. By skipping high-priced floral arrangements, you can keep your costs down.

If you simply must have flowers, consider going with fewer arrangements instead of a standard package. You could even gather wildflowers before the service or, if you are comfortable with flower arranging, buy cheap blooms from stores like Walmart and put them together yourself.

9. Take It Online

In some cases, simply getting everyone to the funeral can be costly. Plus, if you are assisting out-of-town family members with accommodations, the total cost can skyrocket.

If you have family members who want to witness the ceremony but are open to viewing it online, consider setting up a private live stream. This would allow everyone to virtually pay their respects, making it an affordable alternative to attending.

It is important to understand that not everyone will consider viewing the funeral online as being enough, so this isn’t necessarily an option you should force. But, it’s worth keeping on the table.

10. Comparison Shop for Markers

If you need a marker, it’s also wise to comparison shop before making a purchase. Again, there are multiple companies that can create markers, monuments, or headstones, so don’t feel like you don’t have a choice.

However, before you buy one, check with the cemetery to see if they have any policies, guidelines, or restrictions. There may be size limits or other standards you have to adhere to, so you want to make sure that you can meet them before you make a purchase.

Ultimately, by using the tips above, you can reduce the cost of a funeral or select a less expensive funeral alternative.

Know of another way to save on final expenses? Tell us about your funeral alternatives in the comments below.

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Death At WalMart

November 4, 2009 By David G. Mitchell 11 Comments

The Circle of Life is almost complete at Walmart. I just discovered that Walmart now offers a large selection of caskets for those of us who are planning for the great hereafter. I suppose that it can’t be too long before Walmart also offers a mid-wife service, and after that, dormitories for its workers. People will be born, live and die without ever having to go anywhere else.

Thinking about death is not fun, but it is something that we all do. Planning for death is perhaps even less pleasant, if that is possible, and it is something that not enough of us take the time to consider. Plenty of people before me have written about planning for funerals and post-final illness expenses. I will not add much to that discussion here other than to consider our final resting places — our caskets.
Why does a dead person need a 100% bronze casket with hand-crafted, high-gloss, brushed-finished highlights and a lush velvet interior? Admittedly, the Siena Bronze Casket is quite attractive and it looks quite comfortable. It even includes an adjustable mattress and a — get this — memory tube. And since it is being sold at Walmart, I can only assume that it is quite a bargain at $2,899!

Three thousand dollars for a box in which I might be placed after I am deceased which will then be buried in the ground and never seen again. Doesn’t that seem like an awful lot of money to spend on box in which my mortal remains will merely decay beyond all recognition? What’s the point, really, of spending money like that on something that can serve no real purpose until its owner is past benefitting from it? Wouldn’t it be better to spend the money on a comfortable bed and mattress on which to sleep while alive?

I understand that the casket is not really used to benefit the decedent. It is there to comfort the bereaved. After all, when someone dies, it is not easy to pay one’s final respects and it is certainly a lot easier to do it if the decedent appears to be merely sleeping rather than stone cold dead.

That said, I really cannot see myself ever spending that kind of money on a casket, even a casket with pin stripes or a high gloss black finish that will make me feel as cool as Dracula. Rather, I will always maintain that a pine box should be more than satisfactory, as it was in the Old West.

By comparison, I will want a durable headstone over my grave. The box will be underground but the headstone will be visible to all for decades and even centuries to come. I like the idea of someone in 2525 wandering by my grave and wondering who I might have been. For reasons perhaps unique to me, I find that comforting.

In every culture and in every part of the world, each person has to wrestle with the costs of mortality and we each bring a slightly different perspective to the process. To the extent that you can plan how you are remembered after you are gone, how do you want money spent? Do you want a raucous Irish Wake or a quiet service for just a close circle of friends and family? Do you want to be buried in a casket and, if so, how much do you think should be spent on it? Do you prefer cremation? Would you rather just not think about it?