The economy, the impact of the COVID pandemic, and the internet have all changed the way we purchase many goods and services….even funerals! Today, more families either cannot afford full funeral services or simply do not want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs.
Some of these families find themselves quoted funeral prices that they cannot afford, and they turn to the internet to find more affordable funeral alternatives. We have put together this brief guide to funeral costs and cremation costs in West Virginia to assist those families who wish to understand what options are available to them.
How much does a funeral cost in West Virginia?
Understanding funeral costs is not always easy. The cost of a funeral can vary significantly depending upon the funeral services provider you choose and what kind of funeral services you select. It is important to understand that the price for a funeral can be very different—even for the exact same services—but from different funeral homes. A full-service traditional funeral home can often have higher prices as it has more overhead to maintain.
The average cost of a full traditional funeral service is around $7,484 according to the National Funeral Directors Association, and this doesn’t include cemetery costs.
What are cremation costs in West Virginia?
A cremation can range in cost, depending upon what type of cremation service and which cremation services provider you choose. It is possible to conduct a basic cremation (a cremation without any services) for as little as $1,595. However, you will find that the average cost of a direct cremation in West Virginia is nearer to $2,400.
A direct cremation is the cheapest means to conduct a funeral disposition. It is sometimes called a simple cremation. The deceased is collected from the place of death, transported into the care of the funeral home, prepared for cremation, the necessary paperwork completed and then the cremation process performed.
A basic cremation container is used and the cremated remains are returned to the family in a temporary urn (unless a cremation urn is chosen).
Many families are choosing direct cremation today and then conducting their own memorial service. This enables families to arrange a funeral at an affordable cost. It also means a family can truly personalize a memorial service for their dearly departed.
What help is available in West Virginia for a family that cannot afford a funeral?
The DHHR burial assistance program assists with payment up to $1000 toward the cost of funeral expenses for an indigent adult or child. This amount will generally cover a significant portion of a basic cremation. visit West Virginia’s Department of Health & Human Resources to find out more.
Costs for overweight or oversize cremations in West Virginia
It is possible to cremation a person weighing over 300 pounds, however there are some things to consider. You need to select a cremation services provider who has a retort with a wide enough door to accommodate a XL cremation container. Depending how large the deceased was may impact upon whether there is an additional incremental fee on top of the standard cremation fee.
Best prices on cremation services throughout Barbour, Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, & Wyoming Counties.
Sara Marsden-Ille is a writer and researcher specialising in the death care industry. With more than 15 years covering end-of-life services, funeral trends, and consumer funeral planning, she writes for DFS Memorials and US Funerals Online to help families make informed decisions.
