What Should You Do After You Die?

What should you do after you die?

In “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain,” Jessica Mitford strikingly illustrates the process of embalming in order to inform the general public of this tradition and its position in the modern North American funeral. Although some people would be disgusted after reading about this process, many may still see the benefits of embalming, such as being able to have an open casket and see a loved one for the last time, and knowing that loved ones can be made beautiful even after death. Unfortunately, however, as in life, obtaining beauty is not cheap. Embalming is an unnecessary expense that could be rejected if the public were informed about the subject and able to choose whether or not they want the service.

In 2004, an article published by the staff of The Motley Fool financial education company, entitled “What Funerals Cost,” consulted the National Funeral Directors Association on the current cost of the average full-service funeral. The total cost, not including a cemetery plot or grave marker, came to about $6,500, roughly $550 of that being for embalming and cosmetics.1 Headstone and cemetery plots each range from $500 to thousands of dollars, depending on style and location. According to the Chicagoland Independent Funeral Directors’ website, government aid for funeral costs to surviving spouses from Social Security consists of a one time lump sum of $255. Transportation expenses and $450 is provided by the Veterans Administration for an honorably discharged veteran who dies in a VA hospital, but only a flag and grave marker are provided for those who do not, though both can be buried in a national cemetery at no cost to the family.2 However, neither sum would be enough to cover the cost of embalming and cosmetics.

The price of embalming and cosmetics may not appear to be a significant part of the entire cost, but the small amount of government aid for funeral costs does very little to alleviate the financial strain on survivors. Considering that most deaths are of the elderly, some living solely off of Social Security, any added expense goes to the heirs and can become a struggle to pay for. Both my maternal grandparents and paternal grandmother live off of Social Security and have very little, if any, savings that could be put toward paying for a funeral. I know it would be quite difficult to pay for funeral services, even if splitting the cost between my aunts and uncles, all who have necessary personal expenses of their own. Calculating additional $500 fees here and there, for things such as embalming, would be inconceivable.