Can’t say I was itching to go. Sunny and 70 on an otherwise great Saturday morning and we had an appointment… at the funeral home. No, that we know of, our demise is not imminent. But the better half said pre-planning was the right thing to do… future comfort and consideration of our kids. “What… they can’t pick out a casket,” I offered with little response. Alas, she’s right. If we can plan ahead, even when it comes to dying, why wouldn’t we? I really don’t mind talking about the end of time on earth. It would seem this visit though, confirms we’re closer to it. Then again, so is everyone else every day.
Pre-planning one’s funeral is not high on many to-do lists. The kind and courteous funeral folks told me, since COVID, even fewer seem to be seeking out their services ahead of time. Maybe that’s because undertakers were already busy in that era. I did learn their services cost more post-COVID (what doesn’t) and there’s no deal to be made “on demand” … meaning when you’re not around to negotiate but your family must make arrangements.
Dying to Choose
Death and dying are highly regulated by government and vary by state, local ordinances, and funeral home. One associate dealt with us on the “funeral side” of the plan, and another explained the “burial” options. If you think it’s a choice of casket, service, plot, and you’re done… better sit down. Did you not consider flowers, booklets, videos, remembrances, bereavement travel, unforeseen relocation – what if you pass in Fiji?
Let’s just examine… which casket? On the low end… a $1300 fiberboard box covered in cloth. Upscale included a $25,000 gold-accent luxury residence that offered plush lining inside and sculptured ornamentation outside. There’s also a vault to be chosen. Top-of-line is a bronze-lined, airtight, and waterproof unit that can be locked and sealed. No one is getting in… or out.
Burial involves a series of other choices… cremation, mausoleum, above ground marker? A single plot may be $4000 but could be a good bit more. The cemetery lady said some have suggested they could… do their own shovel work. No, but thanks for asking. That service is $2000.
All in, you might pre-plan your economy exit for $8000 to $10,000 but it could easily be $20,000 to $30,000 with a few amenities.
Don’t Die Twice
What if we do no planning at all?
Short of the Biblical rapture, we are going to depart this world. “Die once and after this comes judgment.” * That is sobering. But it doesn’t have to be. “Christ died once for our sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” ** That’s eternity in heaven. You know the other eternal option. The Bible calls it “the second death, for the “unbelieving.” ***
As we drove home, our wallet was lighter, but I wasn’t counting funeral expense. Rather, I was reminded dying once is a given. Thank God we can choose to avoid dying twice. Believe… and that cost is eternally covered.****
- Hebrews 9:27 *
- I Peter 3:18 **
- Revelation 21:8 ***
- Romans 10:13 ****
