Cost for Catholic Memorial Mass Service

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My stepfather (who has no children) has only my immediate family (3 people total) left to bury him when the time comes. He is very anti-social and has few friends that live far away and would probably not attend the service. In my previous thread, he is opting to donate his body to science and requests a Memorial Mass service afterwards. For the purposes of this question, please assume that there is a plot with open and close already paid for.
The goal would be to bury him as inexpensive as possible. Upon my research, the local Catholic Cemetery in the Sacramento, California area has a price list that references a $3,375 for a Memorial Mass and Committal (excludes cremation and assumes families already have cremated remains in their possession). This price includes "basic services of Funeral Director and Staff, use of Funeral Center for up to 2 hours, committal ceremony. Again, there would only be 3 people to attend to service and we are looking to save money. The price of $3,375 seems absolutely outrageously high to me, especially for my stepfather’s situation.

Question: Logistically, what is the cheapest way to have a Memorial Mass service and bury the remains of my stepfather when the time comes? Does it have to cost $3,375?
 
Every Catholic is provided a Catholic funeral Mass. While your funeral home will charge for their services, and if you want an organist, etc there may be a fee, the Mass itself does not have a charge.

Speak to his parish now to make pre-arrangements.
 
It is my understanding that if a body is donated to science, that once completed the remains will be cremated and returned to the family. In this case why would their be any need for a funeral home’s services? You can have a memorial mass without his remains being present.
 
Here in the Midwest (where I know the cost of most things run a bit cheaper than the West Coast), the internment of cremains is the cheapest burial option and can be accomplished for approximately $500-700. As noted above, these are mostly professional services of the funeral home and legal fees; there is no charge for a Mass or chapel service most of the time*. Certain additions may have fees (markers, musicians, obituaries, etc.) If the body is donated, perhaps the receiving organization will bear the cost of the cremation (I understand that some do, some don’t).

*Some cemetery chapels charge facility fees for graveside or chapel services due to their personnel’s time.
 
I would look into what the mortuary charges for the committal itself. And as was suggested, look into what it would take to have a memorial Mass said at his own parish. That parish will probably have suggested stipends and fees too. But they may be less than what the mortuary wants.

Be sure to look into the rules about transporting the cremains.

I know that some mortuaries --even the ones onsite at Catholic cemeteries-- like to make all kinds of rules saying you have to let them do this or that if you want to have a burial at that location. But unless you look into it, you just won’t know what the break-down of the costs will be.
 
Cor_ad_Cor said:
Here in the Midwest (where I know the cost of most things run a bit cheaper than the West Coast), the internment of cremains is the cheapest burial option and can be accomplished for approximately $500-700. As noted above, these are mostly professional services of the funeral home and legal fees; there is no charge for a Mass or chapel service most of the time*. Certain additions may have fees (markers, musicians, obituaries, etc.) If the body is donated, perhaps the receiving organization will bear the cost of the cremation (I understand that some do, some don’t).

*Some cemetery chapels charge facility fees for graveside or chapel services due to their personnel’s time.
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Very helpful response. I appreciate it.
 
SMHW said:
I would look into what the mortuary charges for the committal itself. And as was suggested, look into what it would take to have a memorial Mass said at his own parish. That parish will probably have suggested stipends and fees too. But they may be less than what the mortuary wants.

Be sure to look into the rules about transporting the cremains.

I know that some mortuaries --even the ones onsite at Catholic cemeteries-- like to make all kinds of rules saying you have to let them do this or that if you want to have a burial at that location. But unless you look into it, you just won’t know what the break-down of the costs will be.
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Thank you for responding.
 
Convert3 said:
It is my understanding that if a body is donated to science, that once completed the remains will be cremated and returned to the family. In this case why would their be any need for a funeral home’s services? You can have a memorial mass without his remains being present.
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Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.
 
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