The major costs of a funeral are
the charges billed by the funeral home for a casket, for cremation, for the use
of a parlor for viewing of the body, and related costs. These charges can range
from $5000 to $10,000.
There are some more modest expenses associated
with having a funeral service in a church. These may include:
An honorarium
for the minister, organist, or other musicians.
Some churches require a payment
for the sexton or custodian who prepares the sanctuary for the service.
Flowers
in the sanctuary can also be costly, but these are optional.
If the deceased
was not a church member, an additional charge for the use of the sanctuary may
be required.
In practice, the cost of holding a funeral in a church might
well be limited to less than $1000. Note, that many ministers understand the financial
pressures involved with the funeral. Some have special arrangements with funeral
director and can be helpful in negotiating with these professionals to keep your
costs within reason.
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The Rev. Charles P. Henderson is a Presbyterian minister and
Executive Director of CrossCurrents.
He is the author of God and Science (John Knox Press, 1986).
A revised and expanded version of the book is appearing here. God and Science (Hypertext Edition,
2005).
He is also editor of a new book, featuring articles by world class scientists and theologians, and illustrating the leading views on the relationship between science and religion: Faith, Science and the Future (CrossCurrents Press, 2007).
Charles also tracks the boundry between the virtual and the real at his blog: Next World Design, focusing on the mediation of art, science and spirituality in the metaverse.