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Dieing to Cut Costs ?

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    Dieing to Cut Costs ?

    The ultimate act of the Ego's vanity - but can you afford it ?

    The average cost of dying has soared to £7,098 this year and is expected to rise by another third over the next five years, according to a survey which warns that many bereaved families will struggle to cover all the expenses.

    The cost of a "standard" funeral in the UK has risen by 7.2% to £2,733, but additional and often "hidden" costs such as venue hire, catering and flowers can push the overall average cost much higher, the research suggests.

    There has also been a growth in "green" funerals, which now account for 7% of all ceremonies, according to the survey by Mintel for Sun Life Direct.

    Environmentally friendly funerals are, perhaps surprisingly, more expensive than traditional burials because of the expense of custom-made wicker caskets.

    Most funerals (77%) are cremations – at an average cost of £2,448 – and 23% are more expensive burials, costing an average of £3,018. There are substantial regional variations, however, with a burial in London costing an average £4,600.

    Families have cut back on areas such as catering as a result of the recession, the survey reveals, and in order to be able to pay for long-lasting items such as memorials.

    Whatever kind of funeral is chosen, many people are not planning ahead for how it will be paid, according to the study. Less than half of adults (46%) who responded to the survey said they had made financial provision for their own death, and only 19% had taken out a pre-paid funeral plan.

    Of those who had already organised a funeral, 56% said the costs were in line with their expectations but 14% admitted the total was much higher than their original estimate.

    A "standard" funeral costing £2,733 would involve hire of a hearse and a limousine and a simple oak veneer coffin. The research estimates that funeral costs will increase by 31% to £3,581 by 2014.

    Mintel questioned a sample of funeral directors in all regions of the UK and questioned 1,538 people during July.

    Mark Howes, managing director of Sun Life Direct, said: "As funeral prices are predicted to increase, it's important that people think about putting the right provisions in place. Sharing your funeral preferences with loved ones can be particularly emotional and understandably this is a topic most of us would prefer not to talk about. But organising a funeral can be extremely stressful and painful, without the added worry of not being able to cover the costs."

    Hilary Fisher, director of Dying Matters, a national coalition raising awareness of death, dying and bereavement, said: "Planning and preparation for dying is vital if we are to improve our experiences. It's never easy bringing up the subject of funeral planning but pre-arranging a funeral with the help of family can avoid unnecessary financial burdens to those left behind."
    family finances
    Last edited by AlfredJPruffock; 9 September 2009, 09:30. Reason: t

    #2
    I have sold my body to a cat food company in order to earn some money that can be used to pay for the news paper noticifation of TSInvoicing seizing operations.
    "Condoms should come with a free pack of earplugs."

    Comment


      #3
      hmmmm

      So research by an insurance company specialising in funeral cost cover finds that costs will increase and that not enough people buy insurance to cover this.



      I, for one, am quite suprised by this news

      Comment


        #4
        The research estimates that funeral costs will increase by 31% to £3,581 by 2014.


        This is not as bad as it might sound given that Earth will be destroyed by Gama Rays from Betelgeuse by 2012 - whoops - I wasnt supposed to mention that ....

        What about donating your body to Science - Medical Resreach - anybody know of anyone who has done that ? Whats the cost element - if any ?
        Last edited by AlfredJPruffock; 9 September 2009, 12:06.

        Comment


          #5
          Are you sure it's not Better waves, or Alfa waves?

          I've left instructions to be left out with the bin bags, but, apparently, it's illegal for a corpse to remain on the street for two weeks.
          Down with racism. Long live miscegenation!

          Comment


            #6
            As I feel like a zombie most mornings, I think I'll continue on in that vein. Most old IT bods seem to be zombies anyway
            Brexit is having a wee in the middle of the room at a house party because nobody is talking to you, and then complaining about the smell.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by NotAllThere View Post
              Are you sure it's not Better waves, or Alfa waves?

              I've left instructions to be left out with the bin bags, but, apparently, it's illegal for a corpse to remain on the street for two weeks.
              Fraid not - they were (mainly) the Gamma Ray variety , altough to be fair it was the Gravlity Pulse wave that wreaked the real havoc ... in fact Beltegeuse itself was functioning well till 2010 - thats when we tried to use some of the Gamma Ray energy from Betelegeuse to fuel the Tardis - well it seemed a good idea at the time .

              Then a couple of years down the line Betelgeuse sunndely went megasupernova - and -Pop !

              The Earth's toast.

              It in Ill Wind - it all happened so quickly - and as it really kicked in the wee hours most of you didn't know what hit you

              Ironic as the housing and the contract market had really taken off in 2012 - even the SunSpots were abundant.

              C'est la vie.

              And - what you don't know ...
              Last edited by AlfredJPruffock; 9 September 2009, 12:06.

              Comment


                #8
                Donating body to science seems to be relatively simple: contact the medical school when you're about to shake off this mortal coil.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Menelaus View Post
                  Donating body to science seems to be relatively simple: contact the medical school when you're about to shake off this mortal coil.
                  I've told my family that I want to donate my body to medical science but they don't seem too keen. Can you insist (pre-death obviously!) or is it like organ donation where you cease to 'own' yourself after you've snuffed it?
                  +50 Xeno Geek Points
                  Come back Toolpusher, scotspine, Voodooflux. Pogle
                  As for the rest of you - DILLIGAF

                  Purveyor of fine quality smut since 2005

                  CUK Olympic University Challenge Champions 2010/2012

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I hope my ex is buried and not cremated. I want to dance on her grave.

                    Comment

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