What do you know about the administration after death? Probably not much, and probably even less than you think! In our death-phobic society that’s no surprise. It’s not something most people give the time and attention it should have. Take our quiz to see if you can correctly answer questions about some common details for things you (or someone) has to do after someone dies.
Introduction
What do you know about the administration after death? Probably not much, and probably even less than you think! In our death-phobic society that’s no surprise. It’s not something most people give the time and attention it should have. Keep reading for some answers about some common details for things you (or someone) has to do after someone dies.
1. What’s the average cost for direct cremation in the U.S. (not including an urn or funeral service)?
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Answer
The average cost in the U.S. for a Direct Cremation is about $2K. It can range from as little as $500 to over $8000 depending on the state and provider.
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Source(s)
2. What’s the average cost in the U.S. for a traditional funeral? (preparation of the body, funeral service, and burial)
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Answer
Average cost in the U.S. for a traditional funeral is between $7500 and $8500. This includes charges for services like: embalming, dressing, the hearse, viewing and visitation, and a medium price-range casket.
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Source(s)
https://choicemutual.com/blog/cremation-cost/
3. How long can a human body be stored in refrigeration?
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Answer
While different sources may list any of the other options as correct, the truth is - there is no agreed upon range. The answer to this is complicated by a range of variables. Depending on the location of the deceased (the climate they live in, the elevation, the humidity), when their body was received (if decomposition has already started), what the refrigeration equipment is like (there are industry specs but you never know), and what caused the person to die, this may vary a great deal.
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Source(s)
4. Caskets are costly - what are some options that can help reduce the costs?
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Answer
Renting a casket, buying your own casket from another retailer (Amazon, Costco, etc), having a “green” funeral, skipping the casket entirely and opting for a “direct” burial.
ALL of those options are realistic ways to save money when planning or arranging a funeral. Like any retail “good” you can shop around for a casket, rent one, or skip it entirely. Be wary of getting it direct from a funeral home, where the markup is the highest. Thinking you don’t want your loved ones to have to worry about dealing with this logistical hassle ? Just another reason to get your own mausoleum in order!
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Source(s)
5. True or False - It’s legal to have a funeral at home.
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Answer
True. For decades before what many people now consider “modern” funeral practices, people held funerals and memorials at home.
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Source(s)
https://www.funeralwise.com/funeral-customs/home-funerals-burials/
6. What happens to credit card debt when a person dies?
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Answers
When someone dies, like most debts, the estate (any assets, property, etc) is used to pay off debts, including credit card debt. If there’s no estate or will or assets, the debts will most often die with debtor. The exceptions to this apply when someone has a joint account (not just authorization) for a credit card, the joint account holder will still be responsible for the debt. In addition there are some US states that are known as “community-property” states where a surviving spouse may still be on the hook. Those states as of 2024 were: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
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Source(s)
https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/credit-card-debt-after-death
https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/the-ins-and-outs-of-community-property-law
7. How long does it take, on average, to settle the affairs of the deceased?
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Answer
Unfortunately, getting through someone’s affairs after death is a really lengthy process. Depending on the complexity of the estate, how well organized the person was before they died, and the status of their assets, estimates are around 540 hours (over 3 weeks), to as long as 6 months. For estates that require a probate process, it can take years to sort out the estate.
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Source(s)
https://www.benefitnews.com/news/employer-bereavement-policies-may-need-to-change
https://www.hml-law.net/2022/04/settling-estate-death/
https://www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk/probate-solicitors/timeframes-for-probate/
A Friendly Disclaimer
These data points and the quiz that we built … questions, answers, and cited sources were all researched and written by a real human. No AI was involved. This disclaimer serves to remind anyone reading that Good Grief are not certified professionals in any death or funeral related industry. We are not imbued with any “official” regulatory powers or claiming to offer legal advice. The stats, costs, and regulatory information can change at any time. The content here is offered in good faith in the interest of sharing our time and resources to provide information.
If you need real legal advice, please - hire an actual lawyer. 💜☠️
