Posted: 7/24/2007 8:46:08 PM EDT
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Joe died. His will provided $30,000 for an elaborate funeral. As the last guests departed the affair, his wife, Helen, turned to her oldest friend. "Well, I'm sure Joe would be pleased," she said. "I'm sure you're right," replied Jody, who lowered her voice and leaned in close. "How much did this really cost?" "All of it," said Helen. "Thirty-thousand." "No!" Jody exclaimed. "I mean, it was very nice, but $30,000?" Helen answered, "The funeral was $6,500. I donated $ 500 to the church. The wake, food and drinks were another $500. The rest went for the memorial stone." Jody computed quickly. "$22,500 for a memorial stone? My God, how big is it?!" "Two and a half carats." |
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8 years ago a *basic* funeral for my mom and dad ran 5 grand each. That was pick up of the body and storage for a few days, a simple steel casket, vault, no embalming, no guests (just mom and I for dad and just me when mom passed later), no services, transport to the cemetery and opening and closing the grave. FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS.  Whoever is left after I'm gone can drop me off in the woods and let nature do the cleanup as far as I'm concerned.  |
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When my mother died, the guy who showed up from the local funeral parlor went through his (ridiculous) sales pitch, including caskets that ran over $50K each. Imagine his surprise when, after remaining silent throughout the presentation, I looked him dead in the eye and said, "You will provide a cardboard box to hold the body. There will be no embalming. We will provide you with what she will be dressed in. You will cremate her and give us her ashes in the cheapest container you have. You will not charge us a lot for it. That is all." Yep, he was disappointed. 
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