Despite what some funeral directors imply, embalming is not usually required by health regulations. Nor is it necessary to have the body viewed. Consider the funeral ceremony. This is a major expense. There is a fee for limousines.
Most funeral homes sell burial suits.
All of these questions come down to the cold question of money. After the funeral is over, families face not only the task of adjusting to life without the loved one, but many administrative duties as well. Since people often name the surviving spouse or an adult child as personal representative, the end result is that the family is often overwhelmed by confusing forms and technical-looking paperwork. A spouse or child with little experience in business matters or who is unfamiliar with your records may have a particularly difficult job. One immediate concern, especially after the death of a wage earner, is access to cash.