Slow Economy Impacting Funeral Homes

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Story Published: Sep 2, 2008 at 5:29 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 1:36 AM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - The slow economy is now even having an effect on funeral homes. Local mortuaries are seeing more people shopping around for a good deal, and some doing away with the traditional funeral.

To keep funerals affordable local mortuaries are now trying to offer more choices in everything from caskets to the services they provid.

One of the first things you have to decide when planning a funeral is whether to bury your loved one or have them cremated.

Cremation costs about $5,000 less then a traditional funeral and an urn is usually cheaper than a casket. Lance Peck, owner Downard Funeral Home said, "Caskets can range anywhere from probably $500 or $600 to lots of money-thousands and thousands of dollars."

Then you have to decide whether you want all the traditional funeral services. Richard Wheatley, owner Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel said, "They may choose to just have a graveside service at the graveside rather than a chapel service. They can still have a viewing beforehand if they like."

Some families are also providing their own flowers for the funeral, and using their own car to transport the casket.

One thing thats going to make it difficult to find those cheaper funeral services though is the increase in gas prices. Wheatley said, "Goods that you and I use including caskets that are supplied to us come by truck. And so this cost of the fuel that everybody's feeling effects us all."

By making a few phone calls and shopping around you should be able to make sure you are getting a fair deal. Peck said, "Along with the prices and the various types of services the more they know the better decisions they can make."

The time of year can also impact your funeral costs. Prices usually go up in the fall and winter due to cost of living adjustments.

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