Frequently Asked Questions

When selected as a substitute for a traditional funeral followed by earth burial, the cost will be considerably less. A Basic Cremation costs $2,665 plus NC Sales Tax, this includes cremation by our trained and certified cremationists at our crematory located adjacent to the Asheboro funeral home. Included is the basic cremation container required by NC law as well as a plastic container in which the cremated remains are returned. The obtaining and filing of all necessary permits and documents, and all services of the funeral home are included at no additional costs. An opportunity for the family to have a private viewing and access to all Pugh Funeral Home's aftercare and bereavement services are part of this basic fee.

We sincerely believe in the dignified and proper care of human remains, whether the family chooses cremation or burial options. Therefore our level of service will always reflect this. If a family can demonstrate financial hardship we will work with them, but we will not lessen this level of service.

Today, most cremation families choose from a variety of opportunities that provide for meaningful services for the benefit of family and friends - both before and after cremation takes place.

Among those options are: A gathering of family and friends with the body present followed by a funeral before going to the crematory, a gathering of family and friends without the body present followed by a funeral, or a Memorial Service of remembrance at the funeral home or place of worship.

Should I choose a family funeral home or chain operation?
Over the past several years, large multi-national organizations have been purchasing funeral homes at an alarming rate. Recent media reports such as 60 Minutes, Time, and US News and World Report conclude that these death care business operations, while trying to maintain the facade of a family operation, quickly increase prices considerably and enforce merchandising policies on employees geared to significantly increase their bottom lines.

In our area, Hanes Lineberry Funeral Homes in Greensboro, Liberty and other locations and Sechrest Funeral Service in High Point and Archdale are owned by the Service Corporation International (SCI), a large Houston corporation that owns funeral homes and cemeteries throughout the US and abroad. The Lambeth Troxler Funeral Home in Greensboro was recently purchased by Keystone North America Inc. Keystone owns and operates 175 funeral homes and 7 cemeteries in 27 states and the province of Ontario and is considered to be the 5th largest owner/operator of funeral homes in North America.

The Pugh Funeral Homes in Asheboro, Randleman, and Troy, as well our location in Siler City-Smith & Buckner are all owned and operated by the Pugh family. Ridge Funeral Home in Asheboro was recently repurchased from StoneMor Partners, L.P, by their current management team. We are pleased to welcome them back as an independent firm. Loflin Funeral Home in Ramseur, Forbis & Dick in Greensboro and surrounding areas, Cumby Mortuary in High Point and Archdale are also independent family owned businesses. 

Independent family funeral directors are free to carry out policies that are flexible and meet the various needs of their local communities. Pugh Funeral Homes is a member of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes (formerly known as National Selected Morticians),and the Order of the Golden Rule, both national organizations of family owned funeral homes that are required to adhere to a strict code of funeral ethics.

Selected Independent Funeral Homes
The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR)

How much do funerals really cost

Funeral costs are determined by the services and merchandise requested by the consumer. Costs may range from below $2,050 for immediate disposition services to several thousand dollars depending on the type of services and merchandise selected.

Traditional Funeral costs have increased no faster than the consumer price index for other consumer items. The typical traditional service cost at Pugh Funeral Home Inc. including, staff and facility fees for visitation and the funeral service, automotive equipment, a casket, and grave liner or vault is between $7000 and $9000.

When compared to other major life-cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but, because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized.

A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.). These expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of funeral directors and staff in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details.

According to Federated Funeral Directors of American the average profit on a funeral in 2008 was $314 and the average profit has decreased from 11.17% in 1984 to 6.17% in 2008.

Is it better to purchase merchandise through a retail funeral product store, a cemetery, the Internet, or a funeral director?
Consumers can opt to purchase funeral merchandise through retail outlets, cemeteries, and even the Internet. Over exaggerated claims about the savings one can achieve are prevalent, especially on the Internet and often the quality of goods provided are not equal.

Years ago, the entire cost of a funeral was included in the price of a casket. In the 1960's the government enacted regulations requiring funeral directors to itemize their charges. Fearing competitive factors, in general, funeral directors kept their service fees lower than actual costs and casket prices higher to make up the differences. Over the years further regulation mandated more stringent itemization such that today most funeral directors recoup their operating expense via service charges resulting in lower casket costs.

A consumer should always get price quotes and make informed comparisons before purchasing any merchandise. Cemeteries and funeral retail outlets often maintain inferior quality products marked up higher than a funeral home simply because they need to recoup their operating costs from just the sale of those products.

Before purchasing from a third party provider, always get a written quote, describing in detail the merchandise, materials, and warranties included. The terms and conditions of delivery should be included. Compare these prices and items to that of your local funeral director.

At all Pugh Funeral Homes locations an extensive variety of caskets and alternative containers are available. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to over $10,000, and are made from wood, metal, as well as alternative materials.

Consumer Alert!

You should be aware that the laws governing preneed merchandise purchases vary. In North Carolina, purchases made preneed through a Funeral Home are handled very differently than those made through a Cemetery. Funeral Homes are required to trust 100% of your funds until the time of need (death). Cemeteries only have to trust 60% of your funds until the time of need or the delivery of the product. Vaults are considered preneed items until delivered. Delivered means installed. This is leading some cemeteries to open graves and pre-install new vaults years before they are needed. Then at the time of need the grave is re-opened and the vault opened. If the vault was sealed during installation this seal has to be broken. If it was not sealed the vault will most likely have dirt or mud inside and will need a thorough cleaning. Either way your family is getting a vault that has deteriorated and is not of at-new standards.
 

What happens when there are no funds available?
Other than the family, there few resources available. There may be veteran, union, and other organizational benefits to help pay for funerals. In some North Carolna Counties the Department of Social Services administers limited funds to assist. While North Carolina law states that unclaimed bodied are to be sent to the Commission of Anatomy, the Commission can decline to receive the remains. Then the responsibility for final disposition of the body is that of the County Social Services Director. It has always been the policy of Pugh Funeral Homes to work with concerned and interested parties, be it the family, friends, or just concerned neighbors to arrange for a dignified final disposition.

Most funeral directors are aware of the various benefits and know how to obtain them for the indigent. However, funeral directors often absorb costs above and beyond what is provided by agencies to insure the deceased a respectable burial.

How do I shop around for the best value and services?
Most funeral directors encourage the public to visit their funeral homes. Getting to know the persons you will be dealing with at a very stressful time is very important and ideally should happen before the death of a loved one occurs.

After meeting with several funeral directors, you will most likely find one with whom you are comfortable - a person you experience to be patient and understanding, a good listener, an open-minded person you believe and trust, one who offers you choices consistent with your personal needs. Also check with you neighbors. Most likely they have experience a death in their family and have been served by a local funeral home.

The FTC also regulates funeral services. When areas of misunderstanding occur, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the consumer may wish to contact the Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program. FSCAP provides information, mediates disputes, provides arbitration, and maintains a consumer guarantee fund for reimbursement of services rendered.

(To contact FSCAP, call 708-827-6337 or 800-662-7666

Do I have to use a vault?
There is no NC State law that requires the use of a burial vault. However, most cemeteries require the casket to be placed in a protective outer container suitable to keep the ground above it from sinking it. Years ago graves were dug by hand. Today heavy earth moving equipment is used. That equipment may travel on top of many graves to reach the specific location. Vaults and Concrete grave liners provide adequate strength to keep the earth from sinking.

Earth burial is often the selected by those who choose the cremation process. As is the case with a casket, the urn or urn vault is buried on the family gravesite.

Is embalming required by law?
In North Carolina embalming, in nearly all situations, is not required by law. As is the case in most states; however, embalming is required when a reportable contagious disease caused the death or when the remains will be transported from one state to another by common carrier. Embalming sanitizes and provides temporary preservation of the body, decelerates the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming allows the family to schedule services at a time convenient for them.

Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family member's time to arrange and participate in the type of service most meaningful to them.

To make informed choices, you should know what you want; how much you can afford to pay; what guarantees are provided on merchandise and services; what happens if you move and want to change funeral homes; the tax consequence of the funding arrangements, if any; and if you are protected against inflation.

Your selections and preferences will determine the cost. You may elect to pre-fund the cost through insurance or burial trust fund. Most funeral directors offer inflation-proof funding vehicles that allow you to arrange exactly the kind of service you desire, at today's prices, and be assured of adequate funds at the time of need.