HOUSTON – It’s something every person will probably have to deal with at some point. We are talking about paying funeral costs for your loved one or planning ahead for yourself. Amy Davis talks with the “Funeral Negotiator” about how to keep funeral costs down.
Are funeral prices negotiable?
Yes, funeral prices are negotiable but part of that is knowing all the various parts of a funeral. When someone we love dies, it’s often a stressful time to make big money decisions. Ken Lambert, the Funeral Negotiator, says that’s why a lot of people spend way more than they need to on funeral-related costs.
He admits it’s hard to talk about. It’s a stressful time and often there are a lot of emotional sales tactics. Lambert says the best way to save money is to think about the funeral in parts and shop from there.
Parts of a funeral you will have to pay for
- casket or container
- monuments or markers at the grave
- a burial container (the concrete box that goes around the casket)
- various funeral services
- cemetery property
Lambert says knowing about the cemetery is one big place where you can cut costs.
“People assume that if I use that cemetery, I’ve got to use that funeral home. Nothing could be further from the truth. So any funeral home can bury at any cemetery. So a lot of times, your larger funeral homes are going to charge an outrageous price. They’re going to have outrageous price on their merchandise,” said Lambert.
He says the best place to do your own funeral by far, is your own church. When you do your funeral service at your church, you just told 150 funeral homes and cemeteries in Harris County I don’t need your facilities.”
“There’s a lot of emotional sales tactics. They don’t want you to leave the funeral home,” he adds.
Lambert said you should know the exact prices of everything. You can call ahead and ask pricing questions. Never tell a funeral home how much life insurance you have.
You can do the research on your own or call Lambert for help. He only charges if he can save you money. His fee is a small percentage of what he was able to save you. Check out his website for more information.
Watch the full Ask Amy episode with Lambert to learn more about saving money on funeral costs.
Other helpful resources for planning funeral services:
- Check out funeral laws in Texas: Texas Funeral Service Commission
- Research ratings and reviews of funeral homes: Better Business Bureau
- Ken Lambert / Funeral Negotiator, 281-357-0195