Please can you tell me, what is the average cost of the JA Funeral

you can get a package for about 120,000 for only the funeral hope alone, its hard to get through for less that 200,000.

I recently learned that wakes (set up) in Treasure Beach have now been turned into festive occassions with people setting up stands selling food and other wares to make money. I understand that there are packages included with the funeral services where live music etc are now expected to be part of the deal. If this is true I can only imagine the stress this must put on some people to keep up with the Jones'. Bring back the old days.

Jen when you say $120k for the funeral home, what is included with that?

Please don't think you have to keep up with the Jones' for a wake. As recently as 2 years ago my family and I had the sad occasion to hold a wake and yes it was quite expensive I cannot recall the total cost as I was too consumed by grief. I understand the thought of having coffee, drinks and sandwiches however it is absolutely horrific for people to come to a set-up to sell things to make money. We did not have a band nor did I allow for the sale of any items on the property. I did have some of my mom's favorite music being played on a cd but that was the extent of the music.Please don't continue with that type of thing,unless that is what the deceased would want. Keep in mind how in debt you will go if you can't afford it just so people won't talk.

We have seen how funeral costs can quickly escalate, most especially when some funeral director makes you feel guilty for not "loving your relative enough" to buy an expensive casket, etc. When we had to bury my father, we decided to keep things as simple as possible because we knew he would be mortified if he thought we were wasting the little money he had left us by doing something lavish. In our hearts we know he feels we did the right thing by buying a plain casket and having a dignified and loving funeral. As for selling things at a funeral, that seems very wrong to me, but I realize I am not a Jamaican so maybe that is a custom in someone else's country.

American, that was never a custom. Sad if true.

I am a Jamaican, living in the United States, and I am apalled at what goes on at the wakes and the big lush funerals, I personally think that people should realize that it's not what you do for the dead person counts, its what you do while they are alive,I can only imagine the stress of it all.

The trend needs to be broken,talk is cheap, they will have to stop talking. I am so grateful for this forum where we can vent our feeling, keep up the good work tbnet.

You are so right. It is a shame that people worry about what the others think if there love one funeral is not as big as mr Brown.

I believe that funerals in Jamaica are basically left up to individuals--their personal choices, tastes, beliefs, and if I might add, even personal religious convictions. For instance, my family and I have decided to leave quietly--no fanfare. We have decided on cremation, no setup (wake), no eating and drinking, and frankly, we won't care too much if folks are unhappy with our choices.

I too think these people get carried away. and try to make money in every possible way they can, but at a dead yard nooo.In my opinion respect the dead.What happened to the old time Sankey singing, I might sound too old fashion but we used to enjoyed that.

I am ole school and remember the days of Maas Joe Bowl and the sankies. But to some that is old fashioned or maybe not sophisticated. Many people cannot afford the modern funerals so it would be nice to bring in people to sing and entertain at the same time (like Maas Joe). RIP Maas Joe, you are surely missed.

Does anyone have an idea what will happen when all the family plots become too small through future division and sub-division? Treasure Beach doesn't have a cemetery, and cremation is not customary, so how will this work? I believe anyone with the land, and the resources, could make a killing (pardon the pun) burying the dead in the new Treasure Beach Cemetery!

I feel sorry for those who cannot afford the money to entertain the crowd. However, it appears this is what we, Jamaicans want because a few years after the funeral, they come up with memorial and this is another big celebration. Sorry, I cannot afford this and I already tell my kids, save the little money for themselves---never mind what the people say, bury me decent----no viewing, private family funeral.

NOTHING WRONG WITH CREMATION.TO EACH IS HIS OWN.

I am so happy that somebody brought this to light.I have already put my request in place with my husband and children. If I died before them , I "WANT" to be cover with dirth, coffee and bun for those who come to pay their respect if they want to have something. I also believed that all casket in the funeral palo should have a price tag on them so you can walk around and compare prices when you walk into the funeral palo.This should be manditory.The same procedure when you walk into a furniture store the furniture are label should be the same for the Funeral Homes.I find it very hard to believe that only the owner knows the price of the casket. The staff that do the paper work with you and also collect the money after the price is quoted tells you clearly that she does not know the price of the caskets.Wake up jamaicans lets not live in the dark any more, something is wrong with this picture. MAY GOD HELP YOU IF YOY HAVE FAMILY ABROAD TO HANDLE THE FUNERAL EXPENSE YOU ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT DOUBLING OR TRIPIING THE PRICE.My regrets that I did not have MASS BASIL, MASS BERIS OR MASS NIVIL build my box and I could save it. So my fellow Jamaicans do we want to continue this trend of who can out do each other with lavish funeral, set ups, and expensive casket or do we want to go back to our roots? I choose my roots.

I too choose my roots concern jamacian .i am with you all the way.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN ALL THE PROPERTIES IN TB ARE SOLD OFF TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF FAMILIES?WHERE ARE PEOPLE GOING TO BURY THEIR DEAD?
CREMATION-CREMATION-ALL THE WAY AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THAT.
JUST LIVE A GOOD-HUMBLE-RESPECTFUL LIFE AMONG YOUR COMMUNITY AND THAT IS ALL THAT WILL MATTER WHEN IT COMES TIME TO LAY YOU TO REST.
LET PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU FOR WHAT YOU STAND FOR.

since when is cremation is the thing, we jamaicans only knew one thing and that is burying the dead in the ground,many poeple just follow the customs of some countrys abroad. To me cremation is when you are not sure of peace with God burn here ,burn there.The Bible says from the dust we came and the dust we must return, as someone says to each his own.

Christian, I am on your side. I do not want to be cremated when I die. If your heart is right with God it doesn't matter how you are buried because you will still return to the earth, but I just don't like the idea of anyone burning my body although I will not be aware.

CAC to investigate funeral homes

2009-11-05 13:30:36 | (1 Comments)
The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) says it’s considering an investigation of the fees charged by funeral homes for the services they provide.

The probe follows frequent complaints by family members about the exorbitant costs associated with burying their dead.

Director of the CAC, Dolsie Allen, says the probe will also take into consideration the proliferation of funeral homes across the island.

She says focus will be placed on parlours that are established, without adhering to the proper guidelines.

Mrs Allen is urging consumers to be alert when selecting funeral homes.

According to her, the commission is aware that some funeral parlours have appointed employees to stake out hospitals.