Expert: Lisa Carlson - 6/5/2007

Question
My father is elderly and my mother's health is not good.  Recently they have
been making comments about their final wishes, but do not have current wills
or prepaid funeral arrangements.  They have no money and struggle
financially
to pay monthly bills.  My younger sister and brother are in no financial
position to pay anything.  My financial position is a little better, but my
husband is due to retire soon.  I have three children, two have yet to go
through college.  We will be on a limited, fixed income in the near future
when my husband retires.  My parents have an expectation that their children
"owe them" and should pay these expenses.  I love my parents, but I do not
feel I need to be financially responsible for their debts, nor can I afford to.  
What happens if there is no money or plan to pay for burial.  They live in
Michigan.  Thank you

Answer
Are your parents on Medicaid? If so, there may be state or county money for a minimal funeral.

If not and the family will have to foot the bill, a simple cremation would be the least expensive, probably $1,000 to $1,500 depending where they are. If cremation is not acceptable, then an "Immediate Burial" would be the next least expensive--maybe $2,500 with a minimal casket, although cemetery expenses and a vault could double that.

Body donation to a medical school is another option. In what part of Michigan are they? That would really be a "loan" as the medical school would pay for the cremation after study and return the cremated remains to the family on request. You might have to pay to transport the body to the medical school, and that might not be any cheaper than a cremation.

Lastly, there is a company in Memphis that will pay to transport the body there, again for medical study, MERI. You can search their company on-line for more information.