If you’ve never had to plan a funeral service, you might not know the costs involved in the event. The details can make your budget go up if you’re looking to hire people for specific duties, including driving the hearse or creating your announcements, so you must do your research before scheduling.

If you are looking at local funeral homes in Columbia, MD, you will want to find a company that can give you an outline of services they offer and what prices they charge before hiring them. Here is a general summary of fees to help get you started.

Costs Involved

A funeral can range between $ 7000 and $9000, depending on how elaborate you want the event to be. Each service included in the event will have a different cost, so it is recommended to speak to the Funeral Home to see if they have any packages available at a discount.

When you choose to schedule through a funeral company, the main fees will run around $2100. They will include services such as body storage, permits, administration, and coordination with the cemetery. The body’s transportation can cost up to $650 depending on the company you choose to work with, but you can also utilize family and friends if they have the appropriate vehicle to move the loved one safely.

Embalming is another service you may need to utilize, particularly if you have a viewing before the funeral. The embalming service will keep the body in a stabilized state via chemicals to help slow the decomposition of the remains. An embalming procedure can cost around $750, depending on the facility you choose to work with.

If you have chosen to hold a viewing, you will want to enlist the cosmetologist for the funeral home. This individual will help restore your loved one to a viewable state by applying make-up, doing hair, and reconditioning the remains as much as possible. This service usually is around $250.

Depending on the type of material and decorative options you choose to use for the coffin or casket, the costs can start at $2000 and go up. Some companies offer personalization for the vessel that can be purchased for an additional charge.

Other Considerations

The hearse rental is another choice if you are planning a procession, and the prices can vary depending on the type of vehicle you choose, but the average cost is around $400. There will be other factors to add in, such as the cemetery plot, the grave marker, and if a grave liner or vault is required.

A Local Solution

The largest consideration is to know what your budget is before starting your scheduling and finding the right company to work with. Snowden Funeral Home is a locally trusted company that prides itself on putting the community first. We care for our local family like we do our own and have been in business since the early 1900s. We understand the complexities of finding funeral homes in Columbia, MD, and scheduling services, so give us a call today to get started.