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| ACCOMMODATION ITEMS |
| Accommodation items are also called "cash advances". These items are expenses that occur at the time of services, but are not actually funeral home charges. Often, the funeral home will offer to write a check on behalf of the family and see that these expenses are paid. The family is expected to pay the funeral home for these expenses. For the convenience of families served, the funeral home often includes these outlays in the funeral home billing. Some funeral homes require that these expenses be paid upfront as a
down payment. Accommodation items may include, but are not limited to: |
Grave Opening/Closing Fee
This fee is charged to dig and fill in a grave at a cemetery. Equipment used to lower the casket into the burial vault may or may not be included in this fee. Cemeteries that have a chapel of some sort may attempt to encourage a family to conduct graveside services there instead of at the grave site. In the case of cremated remains, the burial or interment fee may be more of an administrative charge versus actual cost of opening & closing the grave.
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Cemetery Equipment
Some cemeteries provide equipment to lower a casket into a grave, as well as chairs and a tent to protect families from inclement weather. Some cemeteries do not own such equipment and in these cases, the burial vault company provides such equipment for a rental fee.
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Gratuities
Some clergy and musicians (organists, pianists, singers, guitarists, etc.) have a fee for their participation in a funeral or memorial service. In many areas, the is no set fee for these people and what is offered is an honorarium or gratuity. Different areas may offer different amounts. Some funeral homes may insist these gratuities be paid directly by the family.
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Obituaries
The cost of obituaries (yes, in most areas there IS some kind of cost!) varies tremendously throughout the country. In some areas, they are considered news items and there is no or little cost. In some places, if only a certain amount of information is included, there is little or minimal cost. In these same areas, if you choose to add additional information, then there is much more cost. In other areas, an obituary with family names and service details is considered classified advertising and charged for by the column inch. Funeral homes often have a contract rate with the newspaper making the cost less for the funeral home to place the obit than if the family would do so themselves. Some newspapers require obituaries to be
pre-paid before placement and most will not take obituary submissions from private parties, to eliminate prank notices of still living persons!
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Certified Copies of Death Certificates
Certified copies of death certificates are used for legal matters, such as probate of a deceased person's estate, fulfilling terms of a trust, cashing in stocks and/or bonds, filing claims for death benefits from pension plans, making claim for life insurance benefits, registering the death with offices dealing with titles and deeds, Social
Security (in some instances) or perhaps, the military. Most certified death certificates cost a certain amount. Extras can be gotten later, but having enough to begin with may be an advantage.
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Other Permits, Fees or Expenses
Each area of the country has its own uniqueness, especially regarding permits required, fees to be paid or expenses accrued by the family, with monies extended by the funeral home. Cash advances may include the cost of transportation when a remains is moved from one area of the country to another, either by air or by ground vehicle. In some places, there is a fee required when obtaining the signature of a medical examiner on a permit to authorize a cremation to be completed. Sometimes a funeral home will place a certified death certificate on file with the local Register of Deeds and extend the fee for such filing. |
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