Preparing for death (Part 2) - Popular, packages and plans
Published:Sunday | August 28, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Martin Baxter, Gleaner Writer
Death is our most feared yet most guaranteed outcome in life. Often it is the shock of an untimely death that prolongs the grieving process and makes organising a fitting departure for your loved one even more challenging. In this final part of Outlook's feature on 'Preparing for Death,' with the help of the proprietors of three of the island's funeral homes, we will look at some of the funeral packages offered, trends in modern day funerals and the cost of 'going home' in the 21st century.
- LP Martin & Sons
Sean Wellington, funeral director at L. P. Martin's Funeral Home at Brimmer Hall in St Mary, says these days it's all about the 'bling'.
"The industry is changing and evolving, families look for a mode of celebrating death rather than traditional grieving. They have a big dead yard, funeral vehicles have changed to the US style vans like the Escalades, the Yukons, so they have a less mournful look. There are musical bands performing and we sometimes dress up the church with flowers and balloons. Funerals are becoming bling, a celebration of wealth and everybody is trying to outdo each other."
Wellington added that cremation was becoming increasingly popular but burial was still a cheaper option for customers.
"Cremation is becoming more socially acceptable. Remains can be kept in an urn close to the family, so the family always feels that sense of connection, that wherever they go they'll always be close to their loved ones.
"At $84,500, cremation is cheaper than the average funeral but this figure doesn't include the cost of a service, transportation or programmes. Our funeral costs start at $65,000 and this excludes the cost of a burial plot."
- Roberts Funeral Home
Herbie Roberts, of Roberts Funeral Home in Linstead, St Catherine, agreed that cremation was becoming popular.
"Cremation is increasing in Jamaica. People tend to have this more in Kingston but because I work all across the island, it's becoming another method of disposal. For every 30 funerals we have here, cremation is requested in one case and it tends to be the more affluent people who choose that alternative."
Roberts told Outlook that the industry was moving away from traditional standards.
"Some people still want the traditional hearses but more often they want the American-style SUV and our chariot, which is like a carriage you'd see in Europe. Our basic package starts at $79,000 and goes up to whatever price the family wants, based on the packages they request.
- Lyn's Funeral Home
Calvin Lyn of Lyn's Funeral Home in Mandeville told Outlook that his funeral packages are between $80,000 and $350,000 depending on requests made by customers and added that embalming is becoming the new standard in Jamaica.
"When you embalm, the features are restored, you look more lifelike. These days, people are gravitating towards professional service, by which I mean quality presentation. They are getting away from refrigeration and moving towards embalming. Cremation is also requested but it is less than 10 per cent of what I do per month."
"We have the traditional Cadillac hearses and we have the new type, the GM brand hearses like the Escalade which is a custom-built hearse - these days people don't want to have their funerals to look mournful."