Funeral Costs

Funeral Expenses – Transportation and Removal Costs

Transportation expenditures may include transporting the body from the location of death to the funeral home or crematory and to the burial or internment site

Removal or First Call Fees

This is the funeral home’s fee for picking up a body from a private residence or hospital and delivering it to the funeral home. The quoted fee is usually based on transporting the body no greater than 25 miles.

It can be more expensive to pick up a body from a private home because two staff members are necessary for this type of removal. Night and holiday removals can also be more expensive. Removal charges range from $125 to $500.

The National Funeral Director’s Association’s 2006 survey found that the average funeral home removal fee was $233.

Hearse or Funeral Coach Fees

The hearse is a special car used to transport the body to the cemetery and usually leads the funeral procession. Hearse fees range from $150 to $530.

The National Funeral Director’s Association’s 2006 survey found that the average hearse fee was $251.

Lead Vehicle Fees

Family and close friends may want to ride together from the ceremony site to the grave site in a chauffeured limousine. Limousines come in different sizes. Some hold up to 14 people. Limousine fees can range from $75 to $520.

The National Funeral Director’s Association’s 2006 survey found that the average hearse fee was $251.

Flower Car Fees

The service or funeral flowers car is a car or van used to transport flower displays, mementos and other things located at the funeral home to the ceremony site or grave site. Service car fees range from $75 to $510.

The National Funeral Director’s Association’s 2006 survey found that the average use of service car/van fee was $120.