Funeral Industry

Until recently, the traditional funeral was the main burial service choice in this country. Many felt that it represented all that a person could and should do to properly bury a loved one. Funeral homes, which were the primary funeral service provider, offered an ever-increasing array of "necessary" components that were accompanied by ever-increasing prices. The traditional funeral was, and still is, the most expensive burial service choice. The continual increase in funeral expenses has inspired an entire industry of alternative burial and service providers.

Though the availability of funeral homes is still ample, other services are thriving, too. A consumer can decide to arrange and gather services on their own, or enlist the help of both for-profit and non-profit providers.

Memorial societies are thriving non-profit groups that provide well-informed and less expensive funeral assistance. As a member, you can take advantage of the significantly discounted services that have been negotiated for your benefit. These societies do not do the planning for you, but they provide you with the information and resources to facilitate your planning.

For-Profit Alternatives

The for-profit options are plentiful--so plentiful, in fact that there is healthy competition with regard to services and prices. These diverse providers offer, not just less-expensive traditional funerals, but other options, such as cremations and "green" burials. The advantage of these two services is that they allow you to avoid the costs associated with viewing and preserving the body.

The funeral industry has changed more in recent years than it had in the previous half-decade. Even though the change is primarily precipitated by the rising costs of traditional funerals, they continue to be the most popular choice of burial.