Funeral Cost Factors & Options

Funeral Costs Priced Within Reason

Our family at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons understands how difficult it is to cope with the loss of a loved one. When you’re overwhelmed with grief, it’s hard to figure out the next steps, including how to arrange a funeral that truly honors your loved one.

Please know that you’re not alone. Our team is here to provide comprehensive guidance, grief support, and so much more so you can honor your loved one’s memory without worrying about future uncertainties.

Understanding Funeral Costs

We know that money is always a concern with funeral planning. At Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, we always aim to be transparent.

In Michigan, the average cost of a funeral is between $5,000 and $9,000. Many factors impact this cost, including transfer and care costs, the type of services you choose, and which remembrance goods you decide to purchase.

Transfer & Care Costs

Transfer and care costs generally include:

  • Transportation

    : Transferring the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home or crematory and then to the burial or interment site. Costs vary depending on the distance and specific services required. International/interstate transportation will be more expensive.

  • Cremation Containers

    : The type of container used for the cremation can affect the cost. A simple container is generally less expensive than a casket.

  • Removal (First Call Fees)

    : In some cases, we must transport the deceased from a private residence or hospital to the funeral home.

  • Hearse Fees

    : This includes transporting the deceased from the funeral home to the cemetery.

Although these fees can vary based on distance, the average cost for transfer and care is between $300 and $900.

Funeral Planning & Professional Services

In addition to transfer and care, there will be a basic service cost, usually between $2,000 and $2,500. The basic service fee includes planning and conducting a funeral or memorial tailored to meet specific religious, cultural, or personal preferences and the use of our facilities and staff to manage the ceremony.

Additional costs associated with our basic service fee include handling administrative tasks, such as securing and filing paperwork to ensure legal requirements are met, and coordinating with third-party vendors for services like floral arrangements, obituaries, and special memorials.

Funeral Merchandise & Remembrance Goods

Remembrance goods are entirely optional but will add to the overall cost of the funeral.

First, caskets are not mandatory—if you opt for a cremation or a burial, we can provide a wooden or cardboard container as part of our basic service fee. Caskets will cost extra, based on the material they’re made from and the complexity of the design. Similarly, urns are not mandatory for cremations—if you decide not to purchase an urn, we will provide a basic container at no extra cost. You can read our cremation costs page to learn more about some of the expenses associated with caskets and urns.

Other remembrance goods you can purchase at an additional cost include:

  • Grave Markers & Headstones

    : We can coordinate with local cemeteries to provide customized markers or headstones with inscriptions and intricate designs. Markers and headstones can range from $500 to $4,000 based on design intricacy.

  • Memorial Cards/Programs

    : Usually handed out during the service, these cards or programs contain details about your loved one and the order of the service. Prices will vary based on the type of paper used, the layout, and how many are printed. Generally, thick paper, color, and special finishes will cost extra.

  • Memorial Jewelry/Keepsakes

    : Keepsakes, like pendants, charms, crosses, and other jewelry, are a beautiful way to preserve memories and keep your loved one by your side. Costs will vary based on the type of keepsake you choose, design intricacy, and the material it’s made from.

  • Grave Liners & Burial Vaults

    : Vaults encase the casket in the grave and provide protection against the elements, while grave liners are concrete boxes designed to prevent collapsing. Vaults can cost up to $10,000 based on their design and the materials they’re made from, while grave liners are generally under $1,000.

Types of Funeral Services

The type of funeral service you choose will also influence the total cost. A traditional full-service burial will be more expensive as more services are included.

Here is a breakdown of each type of funeral service we offer and what’s included with each:

Traditional Full-Service Burial

  • Includes visitation or viewing and formal funeral service
  • Incorporates prayers, readings, eulogies, music, and other elements
  • More expensive than a direct burial due to costs incurred by embalming, transportation, and extended services

Direct Burial

  • No formal funeral services, viewing, or ceremonies since the deceased is buried shortly after death
  • Does not require embalming of the deceased
  • Less expensive than a traditional full-service burial

Green Burials

  • Does not require embalming of the deceased
  • Caskets are less expensive and made from plain wood, bamboo, or other biodegradable materials.
  • Green burials are more affordable (and environmentally friendly) than traditional burials because you do not have to purchase special caskets or burial vaults or pay for embalming.

Wujek Calcaterra & Sons also coordinates military funerals—the VA may cover some of those expenses. Our team will work with you to help finalize cost reimbursements.

Rights of Those Planning a Funeral

Before you start planning a funeral, your own or someone else’s, you should be aware of the rights that you have in that regard. In 1984, the Federal Trade Commission introduced the “Funeral Rule” that sought to increase funeral homes’ transparency about pricing. The purpose was to prevent them from taking advantage of grieving family members. Under the Funeral Rule, you have the following rights when planning the services:

  • Declining embalming
  • Selecting an alternative container for cremation
  • Providing your own urn or casket
  • Receiving a written statement prior to paying
  • Seeing price lists for outer burial containers and caskets
  • Receiving an itemized statement of goods and services
  • Buying only the goods and services you want

How to Plan for Funeral Costs

Although no one likes to think about their own funeral, pre-planning is a great way to figure out costs ahead of time, compare different funeral options, and arrange a respectful memorial that does not cause financial stress.

For more guidance, please download our funeral pre-planning guide and use our convenient funeral cost estimator.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Wujek Calcaterra & Sons has been a trusted name in Michigan for decades. We have over 120 years of combined experience, and have planned and overseen over 35,000 funerals.

Our team knows how difficult this is for you—that’s why we’re available to help you 24/7. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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