£835 charge to open a grave! Why?
My grandad died on Saturday and the undertaker today revealed that we have to pay £850 to reopen the grave they already purchased. Why? What's behind that cost? That's almost a monthly wage for what, in my ignorant, unknowing mind, sounds like less than a day's work.
Why so expensive? What do they do with it to use up that payment?
Why so expensive? What do they do with it to use up that payment?
0
Comments
No doubt it will be in the contract smallprint.
All you can really do is warn potential future customers about this practice and company.
I would check the costs direct with the owners of the graveyard. This link to a local council suggests it should be about half that price.
http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/browse/advice-and-benefits/deaths-and-funerals/prices.htm
I suspect it may be cheaper to pay the reopening fee direct rather than through the undertakers. I am sure you must be able to do that.
It's Carmountside cemetery and the literature given to us by the undertaker (very lovely, actually) is headed by and asks us to pay the fee to Stoke-on-Trent city council :eek: I wish it WAS a private company fleecing us...
I was rather hoping someone could give me a solid reason why they're charging that much instead of seeming to confirm my thought that the level of the fee is completely unnecessary.
Example:
My parents died in Leicestershire (County)
They were buried in Leicester (City)
The Cemetery is 2 miles from where they lived.
Cost of new (3 occupant) grave in 1976 for dad was over £500.
Cost of reopening grave in 2001 for mam was £500
Had they lived 500yds down the road within the city boundary both of the costs would have been halved.
Oh that is really sad ((((((hugs)))))))
That might be our situation, possibly. We live in Stoke-on-Trent, which is technically its own county (not sure the exact phrasing). If the cemetery is outside our borders it might count as a different county? I don't know how to find where Stoke ends and Staffordshire officially begins. Like you say it's only 2 miles away, but that can make the difference. The house is on the same road as the cemetery, just opposite ends.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss ... it sounds as if you were brought up by grandad.
The costs partly cover maintenance etc - and if you look at the end of the page mentioned - the charges are doubled for "non residents" (presumably to cover non ratepayers....)
http://csd.stoke.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=2370117
I'd admit that I'm somewhat confused by the various charges, though. However, I guess that reopening a grave involves more than just the cost of digging a hole: the headstone might have to be made safe, the grave has to be dug, attendants have to be employed for the funeral to assist with lowering the coffin into the grave and, as technologist said, part of the charge will go towards maintenance of the cemetery in the future.
I suppose the alternative is just to scatter someone's ashes somewhere but of course that often means that there's no sort of memorial for the dead person, and that can make the separation seem more poignant.
How very sorry I am for your loss and I send you my sincere sympathy and ((((hugs)))). How lucky you were to have such a lovely grandad, what treasured memories you must have of him.
I feel your pain. I miss my Nana terribly; I could talk to her in a way that I've never been able to with my Mum. She was a completely non-judgemental straight-talking girl from Cork, and always had the right advice. Although she died around 5 years ago now, I still sometimes think about giving her a phone call.
Still, happy memories are the best things that remain, and it does get easier
One reason I'm taking my Blackberry with me when it's my turn to go.
No, the cheapest way is to arrange to have your body donated to medical research. That's what my former boss did and I can remember clearly him speaking about the subject on many different occasions when I worked for him. I always knew this was his sincere intention.
After his death his friends and family all met-up in a local community hall to chat and remember his life.
It wouldn't be my own choice, I have to admit, but it was very much what he wanted!
sorry to hear of your loss , I recently have organised for my mum ashes to go in family grave it cost me £135 i was advised it would be double if done on weekend (i booked it for 2 weeks today) I contacted the council direct for this as they can organise it too.
Im not sure if they have added extra charges to your but check with your local council how much they charge then you can see the extras added.good luck
My condolences on the loss of your beloved grandad OP. It does sound a very steep cost, and I'm sorry I don't know what to add to what others on this thread have said.
Russellan - no you don't have to have a funeral if you don't want to. You don't have to handle a loved one's arrangments through an undertaker if you don't want to, and amongst other more emotional benefits of this, is that it's cheaper. I recommend The Natural Death Handbook for advice on DIY funerals and deceased loved one's care. You can also buy very cheap cardboard coffins over the internet.
Yes.
My step-grandfather died a month ago and he too donated his body to medical research.
The family then had a simple remembrance service with the nearest and dearest.
The contract he signed was that he was their 'property' for 3 years. However, there was a bit at the bottom which he also ticked. This extended that period to 'indefinite'.
Thanks Dolls, that info is noted and much appreciated...
...as is that, Galaxy. The emboldened bit will certainly do for me, hopefully family will see it that way