The Good Life | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, October 15, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
THE GOOD LIFE 9 Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 15, 2016 SENIOR HAPPENINGS HOW MUCH DOES A FUNERAL COST? Dear Savvy Senior, How much does an average funeral and body burial cost? I need to make funeral arrangements for my aunt, who’s terminally ill, and would like to have a cost idea going in so I can plan and budget appropriately. The Executor Dear Executor, It definitely pays to know what charges to expect when pre-planning a funeral. Most people don’t have a clue, and can often be upsold thousands of dollars worth of extra services you may not want or need. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect. Funeral Prices The first thing you need to be aware of is that funeral costs will vary considerably depending on your geographic location, the funeral home you choose and the funeral choices you make. With that said, here’s a breakdown of what an average funeral costs, nationwide, according to recent data from the National Funeral Directors Association. Professional services fee: This is a basic non- declinable fee that covers the funeral provider’s time, expertise and overhead. $2,000 Transfer of the remains: This is for picking up the body and taking it to the funeral home. $310 Embalming and body preparation: Embalming is usually mandatory for open-casket viewing, otherwise it’s not required unless the body is going to be transported across state lines. Embalming costs $695. Other body preparations, which includes hairdressing and cosmetics runs $250. Funeral viewing and ceremony: If the viewing and funeral ceremony is at the funeral home, you’ll be charged for use of the chapel and any necessary staff. Costs: $420 for viewing, and $495 for funeral ceremony. Metal casket: This is a big money maker for funeral homes, with markups of up to 300 percent over the wholesale price. $2,395. Funeral transportation: Use of hearse and driver $318 to transport the body to the cemetery. Use of a service car/van $143. Memorial printed package: This includes printed programs and memorial guest book. $155. In addition to these costs, there are a number of other related expenses such as flowers for the funeral (around $200 to $400), the newspaper obituary fee ($100 to $600 or more), the clergy honorarium ($200 to $300) and extra copies of the death certificate ($5 to $35 per copy depending on the state). And, a number of large cemetery costs like the plot or mausoleum fee, the vault or grave liner that’s required by most cemeteries, and the opening and closing of the grave, all of which average between $2,000 and $4,000; and the gravestone, which typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000. All told, the average cost of a total funeral today is around $11,000 or more. Ways to Save If you aunt’s estate can’t afford this, there are ways to save. For starters, you should know that prices can vary significantly by funeral provider, so it’s wise to shop around. If you need some help finding an affordable provider, your area funeral consumers alliance program may be able to refer you. See Funerals. org/local-fca or call 802-865-8300 for contact information. There are also free websites you can turn to, like Parting.com that lets you compare prices, and FuneralDecisions.com that will provide estimates from local funeral homes based on what you want. When evaluating funeral providers, be sure you get an itemized price list of services and products so you can accurately compare and choose what you want. But, the most significant way to save on a funeral is to request a “direct burial” or “direct cremation.” With these options your aunt would be buried or cremated shortly after death, which skips the embalming and viewing. If she wants a memorial service you can have it at the graveside or at her place of worship without the body. These services usually run between $600 and $2,000, not counting cemetery charges. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….October Birthdays Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick Anderson, Barbara Cline, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Cathleen Cremins, Alma Mays, Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela Stella. * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required but you must be over 60. ................................................................... ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale daily lunch program held at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary, space is limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256. Tech Talk: Will resume in the fall. Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10:00 - 11:00am. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula. Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to join. May be cancelled if less than 5 people. Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11:00am - 12:00 pm. No appt. necessary. Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 - 11:45am. A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. Case Management: Meets the second Thursday of the month. Case Management services are provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The free birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00 pm. (Please note the time change.) A regular group of seniors play poker. Other games available for use. Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45 - 1:30 pm with Lisa Brandley. The class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are provided. Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. LUNCH AND LEARN Thurday, October 27th, 11:00am - 1:30pm Medicare Annual Election Period is here. If you have any questions on your health plans, please come to the Medicare Resource Table at the Hart Park House on October 27th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A licensed representative will be available to answer questions as well as gather information. No appointment necessary. SENIOR EXCURSION - NOVEMBER EXCURSION GRABER OLIVE HOUSE (ONTARIO) Date: Wednesday, November 9th, 2016 Time: 9:45am - 2:30pm Meeting Location: Hart Park House Cost: $10.00 (Does not include lunch) Description: Founded in 1894, the historic Graber Olive House is located in a pleasant residential area north of Ontario’s Business District. Here in quiet and serene surroundings, visitors are welcomed and delighted to discover a bit of early California. Participants will take a guided tour of the facility and may browse leisurely in the gift shop which feature Graber Olives, fine goods, and gifts. Lunch will be on your own at Molly’s Souper. Please bring money for lunch and souvenirs if desired. Level of walking: Medium. Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM Arcadia Senior Services in partnership with the Parkinson Support Group is having a free informational presentation on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 1:30pm. The health seminar will take place at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Guest speaker, Dr. Cathryn Hu, OMD will give helpful information regarding how to boost your immune system for the upcoming cold and flu season. Some of the topics she will discuss are: what is your immune system, how to tell if my immune system is not strong enough, what are immune diseases, and how to improve your immune system through diet, vitamins and herbs. If interested in attending, please call Arcadia Senior Services 626.574.5130. This program is for individuals age 50 and over. About the City of Arcadia Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Arcadia is an 11.38 square mile community with a population of just over 56,000. Located approximately 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Arcadia is known for combining small-town charm with the conveniences and amenities of a mid-size city. Arcadia is a full- service charter city governed by a five-member City Council, elected at large. Recognized for exceptional education and recreation opportunities and beautiful neighborhoods, Arcadia is also defined as the “Community of Homes” and has twice been designated the “Best City in California in which to Raise Kids” by Business Week Magazine. WWW.MTNVIEWSNEWS.COM Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||