Burial Insurance Is Important
How Much Does Burial Cost?

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Burial insurance is becoming more necessary as the cost to put you six feet under is becoming more expensive every day. If you died last night the funeral expenses alone would be between $7,000 and $10,000. There are other expenses that most people don't think about until they are confronted with them and they are forced to find the money to take care of them. Why not do it the easy way.

Your burial insurance policy should include the costs to go to probate with your will. Assuming you have a will, before your assets are distributed to your heirs your last will and testament has to go to probate. The costs for this varies depending on the size and complexity of your will. For the average person it could be cost from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Truly large estates are another story.

Attorneys Fees

Your attorney has to do all the basics before your heirs can get their hands on any cash. Attorney's fees should be considered to be part of your burial costs and when you purchase burial insurance you should make sure there is sufficient funds readily available to pay your attorney up front. This should expedite the settlement of your will. These fees also usually depend on the size of the estate and how easily it can be disposed of.

Estate Taxes

Estate taxes is the big item. If your estate is in excess of $1,500,000 in the year 2005 you will have to pay estate taxes which can take quite a chunk out of the money intended for your loved ones. Thanks to the congress in the year 2006 your estate must be in excess of $2,000,000 before you will be taxed. By 2009 the amount exempt will be 3,500,000.

Although this is not usually considered in your burial insurance package may be it should be as these taxes must be paid before assets are distributed.

When planning the distribution of your assets in the event of your untimely be sure to bear in mind these burial costs and include them in your insurance portfolio.