Tom Meaglia photo

Tom Meaglia, ChFC®, AEP®,

CLU®, CRPC®, MSFS

Chartered Financial Consultant

Investment Advisor Representative

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

CA Insurance Lic. #0567507

 

Meaglia Financial Consulting

2105 Foothill Blvd., #B140, La Verne, CA 91750

 

Toll Free: 800-386-3700

Bus:         909-593-6105

Cell:         818-681-8600

Fax:         909-593-6120

 

Email: tom@meagliafinancialconsulting.com

Website: www.meagliafinancialconsulting.com

May/June 2026

Saving on Funeral Costs and Final Expenses

A couple of seniors holding their hands in a cemetery, mourning in front of a tombstone.

Like everything else, funeral and burial costs have risen over the years. Even a basic service and burial can become more costly than expected. Pre-planning can help your loved ones avoid difficult decisions about your final wishes and can also lower some expenses.


The Funeral Rule
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires funeral homes to disclose prices for their products and services and provide customers with an itemized list. The funeral rule allows you to compare funeral home prices and choose only the services you want. Knowing the costs helps you make an informed decision without feeling pressured to select more expensive options you might not need.


Purchase Burial Insurance
Also called final expense insurance, burial insurance helps pay for funeral arrangements, burial or cremation, medical bills, outstanding debts, and legal issues. When buying a policy, you usually choose the coverage amount and name a beneficiary who will use the proceeds to cover your funeral and other related costs. Coverage is typically available for individuals aged 50 to 85 (75 in some states).


Pre-need Insurance
Pre-need insurance is a contract with a specific funeral service provider. You select the products and services you want. The insurance payout goes directly to the funeral service provider instead of to designated beneficiaries. Your insurance professional can explain burial insurance in more detail.


Cutting Funeral Costs
There are several ways to reduce funeral expenses.
  • Cremation costs less because it eliminates the need for embalming, a casket, and a cemetery plot.

  • A simple wake and service managed by family members instead of the funeral director can save money.

  • Arranging for direct burial eliminates embalming costs and the cost of facilities for a wake and service.


A Different Option
You might consider donating your body to a medical facility or research center. There is no cost to donors, and your donation helps researchers learn more about the body and certain diseases.


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Thomas Meaglia is an Investment Adviser Representative of Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC, dba, Fusion Capital Management, a registered investment adviser that only conducts business in jurisdictions where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.
Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Fusion Capital Management. Fusion does not endorse any annuity or insurance product, nor does it guarantee any insurance or annuity performance. Annuity and life insurance guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. If you withdraw money from or surrender your contract within a certain time after investing, the insurance company may assess a surrender charge. Withdrawals may be subject to tax penalties and income taxes. Persons selling annuities and other insurance products receive compensation for these transactions. These commissions are separate and distinct from Fusion's investment advisory fees.
Meaglia Financial Consulting and LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC are unrelated companies. This publication was prepared for the publication’s provider by LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC, an unrelated third party. Articles are not written or produced by the named representative.

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