What is the cost of a funeral for an infant?

Answer 1

This depends on where you live. In the United Kingdom there is no charge for a baby or child's funeral. The clergy, funeral director, cremation services, medical fees, etc., are all covered as a matter of community support and respect.

What is generally not provided are ancillary items such as limo services, masonry tributes, etc.

In other Western Countries, such as the US, a baby's funeral costs vary drastically by locale. In fact, some funeral directors have a standing policy that they will provide all of their professional services for free with the only items being chargeable are: coffin/casket selection, burial plot, obituary notices, etc. Some clergy refuse to accept any honorariums for their services and others offer reduced fees.

Some nationally owned funeral directors have published policies and fees regarding infant services. It is best to check with a number of local funeral directors without making any commitment, or to speak with the hospital's family liaison officer who will assist with the initial legal documentation and referrals.

Answer 2

As it is not clear where you are enquiring about, I'll offer several thoughts.

In the United Kingdom there is no fee for a child's funeral. A child is considered up to and including the age of twelve. Age thirteen up to eighteen, lower costs are extended by all services as well. Most main-stream clergy will also offer their services without church-fees or expectation of honorariums. This includes the cost of the Funeral Director's fees, the cost of their services, use of a hearse, the coffin, and any directly associated costs, such as collection from hospital, medical examiner, etc. Additionally, crematorium fees are waived, as are any church fees or honorariums for clergy. All work together to help minimise the trauma for the family.

In america, unfortunately, there are fees. And often to people's surprise, a child's funeral can run far higher than that of an elderly person. The reason for this is that more elements and services are 'offered' to the bereaved parents to help assuage their pain and suffering, and occasionally guilt. Many people, during such a time of need, don't immediately understand that a funeral service company is a business. And the only time that business has an opportunity to 'sell' is when the family has an immediate need. There is documented anecdotal stories of families being 'guided' into selecting services and options which were not only unnecessary, but wholly inappropriate based upon their financial position.

One of the first steps to take is phone around. However, many of the american funeral services are well honed at answering only what you've specifically asked, thus leaving you quite vulnerable. By the time you've agreed to have them collect the child and it's brought to their funeral home, you may discover there are often far more fees associated to the service for which you were not aware. Some states have a fair pricing requirement for the funeral industry, where you must be given a clear quotation for everything that is provided in the service. That is a good start. However, there are countless ancillary items which may be added beyond that sheet, which bring substantial revenue to the service provider. Cemetery vs Cremation, coffins (or caskets as called in the states) that are beyond the type they initially show you, limousine services, flowers, burial spaces + vaults, which are not always required, but you're never told this. Wake services and/or funeral service in the funeral home facility, embalming services, make-up, clothing, memorial book, organist, collection fees, transport fees following collection of the body, masonry fees, urn fees, and on and on. You may even find that a funeral arranger in the states make reference to the coffin you've selected as a reasonable priced 'container' for your budget as it's the same one used by the local social services for pauper burials...whether that's true or not, see it for what it is, - an attempt to get you to spend more. And, there are financing options. Those alone can often add up to a third of the cost in interest payments.

In Australia, the costs of a child's funeral varies by state and territory. In New South Wales, costs can average AUD$7,000 - AUD$10,000. In New Zealand, there are government grants, circa NZD$1800 to help towards a child's funeral. The same applies to other countries such as Canada where each province offers different contributions. Children's funerals average between CAD$5000 to CAD$8000 across all provinces.

Answer 3

it's a lot of money, like a trillion dollars and i had the funeral before and i suggest that you should NOT do it

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