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About.com has advice on taking care of a deceased pet cat's remains. Cremation is a common and convenient method, but burial - at home or in a pet cemetery - remains a popular way to memorialize a cat. There are also unorthodox options, including taxidermy and freeze drying.
Read the full article: http://cats.about.com/od/lossandgrieving/a/handlingremains.htm
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral in 2004 was $6,500 (most recent data). That figure does not include cemetery costs or other associated expenses, so the true cost is almost always higher. Why does it cost so much, and is there any way to save on funeral expenses?
1. Most consumers do not engage in comparison shopping when planning a funeral. The Internet has made a wealth of information available, but most people are uncomfortable with the funeral planning process. Understandably, they would like to conclude the process as quickly as possible, even if it means spending more. There is also the emotional appeal some funeral directors employ. Disreputable funeral homes are well aware of the fact that no one wants to seem cheap when honoring a loved one. As a SmartMoney article put it, "We'll play your heartstrings like a harp." Spending money wisely is not being cheap - it's being smart.
2. The "family-run" funeral home in your community may be owned by a corporate conglomerate. The result is almost always higher prices. Smaller, independent funeral homes may feel pressure to raise prices in response. Everyone but the consumer wins. Don't be afraid to ask who owns the funeral home. The answer may surprise you.
3. Some funeral homes like to throw in options families may not need or want. Progressive funeral homes allow consumers to choose only the options they want, but it is still standard practice at many firms to bundle options to increase the package price. Planning a funeral should not be like buying a used car. Just as you don't need a profit-boosting rustproofing service when buying a car, you may not need a gold-plated register book when planning a memorial service.
Fortunately, there are ways to save. Do some research in advance: How do you wish to be remembered? Write it down, and make sure family and friends know where your plan is stored. Make your funeral plan a part of your estate plan package.
When making arrangements for a loved one, don't be afraid to look for options online. The FTC funeral rule gives you the right to purchase a casket from another provider, and the local funeral home must accept delivery. The same goes for urns. There is no reason to choose an urn from the 3 or 4 your local funeral home may have on hand. Search online, and you'll find thousands of options. Finally, don't let the funeral director pressure you into selecting options that do not suit the memory of your loved one. A funeral should be celebration of a life well lived, not an opportunity for a corporation to pad its pockets.
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