Funerals rank among the most expensive purchases many consumers will ever make. A traditional funeral, including a casket, memorial service, cemetery plot, hearse, limousines, etc. can easily cost well over $10,000. Years ago, funeral homes were locally-owned family businesses with deep community roots and a tradition of serving the needs of friends and neighbors. Today, more often than not, funerals are sold in the same manner as any other consumer product by salesmen who work for commissions as employees of large public corporations that own and operate thousands of funeral homes and cemeteries for the benefit of shareholders. PLAZA was created by the community as a response to this trend. In 15 months of operation, Plaza reduced the basic chapel costs by 22% (more than $1200) compared to its commercial predecessor and its largest corporate competitor in Manhattan.
Because those who purchase funerals are often in a highly vulnerable emotional state and are more readily susceptible to questionable sales practices, the sale of funerals is closely regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC enforces a "Funeral Rule" which is a compilation of regulations designed to protect consumers. The Funeral rule requires all funeral homes to:
- Provide itemized prices for all goods and services and to make available
a written price list.
- Allow purchasers to buy goods and services individually and refuse
"pre-packaged" arrangements.
- Allow purchasers to purchase goods elsewhere for use by the funeral chapel.
- Individually itemize all goods or services required by State law.
The professionals at PLAZA are not salespeople and do not work for commissions. They are dedicated professionals whose sole mission is to help families select the arrangements that suit their individual needs in an atmosphere of caring and trust that is free of commercial pressure. The information on costs presented here is not intended to replace a personal meeting with our funeral directors but is designed to facilitate greater understanding of the typical charges that appear on a funeral contract and why the cost of a funeral can easily exceed expectations by thousands of dollars.
Calculating the Cost
The costs of a traditional funeral and burial can be divided into essentially three basic categories, namely, (i) the basic funeral chapel charges which are essentially unavoidable, (ii) cemetery charges and (iii) funeral chapel charges for optional goods or services.
Basic Charges
The basic charges include:
(a) Transportation of Remains from the place of death to the Chapel.
If the death occurred locally, the transfer charge is $500 (See Price List) but the cost will rise significantly if the remains must be transferred from a distant location, such as Florida, to New York.
(b) Preparation of Remains & Refrigeration
Plaza does not embalm remains since this is contrary to Jewish tradition. The remains are dressed and placed in a casket, or a Tahara (ritual washing) occurs after which the remains are wrapped in a traditional shroud. There is a charge of $340 for either dressing and casketing or for use of the Tahara room for ritual washing. A traditional shroud may be purchased for $135. The deceased's own clothing may be used. If the remains are to be held in the chapel for more than 6 hours, refrigeration is required and a charge of $400 is imposed.
(c) Casket
All of the caskets offered by PLAZA are free of metal parts in accordance with Jewish tradition. Caskets prices vary widely. The traditional plain pine box is available for $300 but other caskets are available and can range from $1,500 to $10,000.
 |
 |
 |
 |
(To view additional caskets, Click here)
(d) Basic arrangements
Include services of the funeral director, other staff, equipment and facilities to respond to initial request for service, the arrangement conference, securing of necessary authorization and coordination of service plans with parties involved in the disposition of the deceased. $1,500
(e) Funeral Service
A charge is imposed for the use of the chapel ($325) and for supervision of the funeral service ($500)
(f) Hearse
The cost of transporting the remains from the chapel to the cemetery ($500).
In summary, the basic charges of PLAZA for a traditional funeral using the simplest casket amount to $4,550 determined as follows:
| Transfer of remains | $ 500 |
| Use of Tahara room | $ 340 |
| Shroud | $ 135 |
| Casket | $ 300 |
| Refrigeration | $ 400 |
| Use of facilities for service | $ 325 |
| Supervision for Service | $ 500 |
| Arrangements Fee | $ 1,500 |
| Hearse | $ 550 |
The same arrangements would cost nearly 40% more at the largest corporately-owned Jewish funeral chapel in Manhattan..
Cemetery Costs
Cemetery charges fall into three categories, namely, (i) the cost of purchasing a grave site; (ii) the cost of opening and closing the grave site; and (iii) the cost of a permanent marker. Interment charges are on the rise and are often substantially higher on Sundays as a result of overtime charges by cemetery workers. The cost of a grave site is highly dependent on the cemetery location and can certainly run from one to several thousand dollars. Stone markers can be as simple as a foot stone or as large as a monument and run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Some cemeteries require caskets to be placed in a concrete liner or vault which adds to the cost.
Optional Goods & Services
There are a variety of optional goods and services, some of which may be required depending on a family's particular situation. For example, a family that does not belong to a synagogue will need to pay a rabbi ($475). The services of a Chevra Kaddisha to prepare the body for burial costs $195. If the family elects to have a Shomer, a person who watches until the funeral the charge is $80/shift and can easily add $240 to $500 to the funeral cost. Each limousine used to transport the family to the graveside costs $505.00 A NY Times obituary, typically 8 lines, costs $550.00/day. A decision to purchase a casket other than the simplest plain pine box can add $1,000 to $10,000 to cost. Certified copies of the death certificate cost $15 per copy and are needed to close bank accounts, collect on insurance policies, transfer assets and for a multitude of other purposes. There are other incidental expenses such as acknowledgment cards, gratuities, etc. which may add smaller amounts to the overall costs.
It is not difficult to see how the basic chapel costs of $4,250 can quickly become $10,000 or more by the addition of the cost of a cemetery plot, interment charges by the cemetary, obituary notices, limousines, honoraria and a more expensive casket. These costs are paid to others and are beyond the control of PLAZA. However, our funeral directors are anxious for you to have all of the facts necessary to make informed choices about your arrangements and will work with you to insure a dignified funeral irrespective of cost.