Funeral Options |
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Funeral Options Funeral planning is less stressful and can cost less if planned ahead. Many people do not know they can plan a funeral or burial that is out of the ordinary or alternative to more familiar services or arrangements. For those reasons this information has been prepared for Consumers. This is not an endorsement of any one approach over the other but simply an offering of information that illustrates choice since we believe it is everyone's choice to live as one chooses until one dies. Why not have choices with one's funeral and burial planning as well? This tool may help you accomplish those goals that are within your power. You will also find extensive information for consumers on funeral planning on the Federal Trade Commission's web site: "Funerals: A Consumer's Guide". READ THIS SITE, particularly the Funeral Rule paragraph. You will be much better prepared to talk to a funeral provider. The Funeral Consumers Alliance has a number of very helpful pamphlets that may be viewed or downloaded from their website (http://www.funerals.org/publications-and-resources/cat_view/37-faq-pamphlets). Four of the 25 titles are:
This document is not intended to serve as legal counsel or as an interpretation of Maine state laws. It has been crafted as a guide towards helping consumers gain appropriate information in planning a funeral, memorial service, burial, cremation or other disposition of a body. If you need legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney. If you don't have a will, make one. Simple wills can be executed using the Maine Statutory Will Form (downloadable here) or from any county courthouse. There are also will-writing programs: Legacy Writer (www.legacywriter.com) is quick and easy. They will guide you through writing a will, living will, power of attorney and/or durable power of attorney for $20 to $35. Even if you must contact a lawyer, you'll probably save the cost of the lawyer's services in problems you won't have to deal with after the death. Options for an In-Ground Burial: 1. Local Funeral Director (in the Yellow Pages under "Funeral Directors"). Many families have a local funeral home they are comfortable with but it is becoming more common these days for consumers to "shop around" - prices can vary widely. According to the National Funeral Director's Association, the average funeral in 2006 cost $7,300. You can spend less by carefully choosing services and options. The average immediate burial costs about $2,000 excluding any cemetery costs. Any funeral director would be pleased to provide you with a copy of their General Price List. The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine has conducted a price survey of funeral homes in Maine, which you may see here. http://www.fcamaine.net/ 2. Home Funeral: In the State of Maine the "authorized person" responsible for disposition of the body is the next of kin or the person given signed authority by said next of kin. (The brochure "Authorized Persons in the State of Maine" is available from the Maine DHHS at 207-287-3148. It includes descriptions of the permits required and where to get them.) The authorized person has the authority to dispose of the body according to their wishes, but must have the appropriate permits and follow Maine State laws. This said, the "authorized person" may keep the body at home, build the coffin, transport the body to the cemetery, hold their own memorial service, and do all the paperwork themselves. The paperwork is probably the most complicated part of this option, and one must be prepared before the death (See our Dreaded Paperwork page). Burials are usually more expensive than cremations because of the cemetery fees for plot, opening/closing and vault or liner. Family Cemeteries: People can also be buried on their own property in Maine under certain circumstances. There are state laws you should be aware of with this option (see this website). Your local Town Office or City Hall can help you identify the necessary permits. Green Cemeteries or Natural Burials: Maine now has two "green" cemeteries, which provide space to bury a body in a natural setting. The body may not be embalmed, and the container must be biodegradable. See Cedar Brook Burial Ground, Limington, Maine (cbbg@roadrunner.com, 637-2085) or Rainbow's End, South Orrington, Maine (Joan Howard, 825-3843, JoanHoward@att.net). What is a natural burial? See http://naturalburial.coop/. Options for Cremation: Pacemakers must be removed before cremation (they may explode). Contact a medical professional or qualified funeral director. 1. Local Funeral Director: Look in the Yellow Pages under "Cremation Services" or "Funeral Directors." Ask about a "direct cremation" for a less expensive alternative, and ask if their direct cremation price includes the crematory fee. Expect to pay $2000 to $4000. 2. Call a direct cremation service: A direct cremation service is a business run by a licensed funeral director that provides no-frills cremations. There are at least eight in Maine that charge less than $1300. The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine conducts a price survey every several years which you can view at www.FCAMaine.org. Direct Cremation Services in Belfast (866-338-9199) is installing the equipment to perform "alkaline hydrolysis," a more environmentally-friendly alternative to cremation. Call them for more information. 3. Home Funeral: In the State of Maine the "authorized person" responsible for disposition of the body is the next of kin or the person given signed authority by said next of kin. (The brochure "Authorized Persons in the State of Maine" is available from the Maine DHHS at 207-287-3148. It includes descriptions of the permits required and where to get them. The authorized person has the authority to dispose of the body according to their wishes, but must have the appropriate permits and follow Maine State laws. This said, the "authorized person" may keep the body at home, build the coffin, transport the body to the crematory, collect the ashes, hold their own memorial service, and do the paperwork themselves. The paperwork is probably the most complicated part of this option, and you must be prepared before the death. See our Dreaded Paperwork page. A Home Funeral can be done for around $500. Whole Body Donation: Any resident of Maine may donate their body to the medical school at the University of New England in Biddeford. The University will pay for the transportation, embalming and cremation of the body. Instructions and contact information: There are now companies that will pick up a body at no cost to you and use it or parts of it for research, testing, etc. They cremate the body then return the ashes to the family when they have finished with it. They are: Body Donation Companies
There have been some reports of lack of accountability or misuse of the bodies in some instances. Here's an article to read: Informed Consent: What You Should Know When Donating a Body |