Couples now marrying in funeral homes to save cash
One of the enduring principles of the recession, at least in theory, is that is was the kick in the butt we needed.
Because we were so spooked, we’d finally get it: we can’t keep blowing our money on stuff we can’t afford! The downturn was lousy, but at least it would change our consumer behaviour for the better going forward.
Well, did it? By many accounts, of course not. Though it’s not entirely been a lost cause. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury …
According to USA Today, in a bid to save money, Americans have begun getting married in funeral homes.
Yes, just as Canadians are morons some of the time, it’s true. The paper notes that funeral homes, despite their morbid connotations, are “budding” in the wedding business because of their clean, elegant rooms and capacity to host hundreds of guests.
“At first, when I pulled up and saw it was a funeral home, it did concern me,” said one bride, married at an Indianapolis home last year. “But when we walked in and saw everything, it was overwhelming. I fell in love and thought it was the perfect place. It was breathtaking, so it didn’t cross my mind again.”
So, if the hurdle for funeral homes hosting weddings is the mental component (and, surely, it’s got to be), that’s a job suited for heavy marketing, which many outlets have taken to to change our social norms.
By the numbers, the shift is among us. Where five, six years ago funeral homes stuck mainly to celebrations of death, says USA Today, almost 10 per cent of U.S. homes said they now offer other services, including weddings, parties and community meetings.
How much a bride and groom could save with a funeral home wedding isn’t said, but if the average wedding cost of up to $30,000 in Canada is any indicator, it wouldn’t be tough beat the going rate.
And, as the Consumerist’s Laura Northrup notes, weddings and funerals might not be so different, after all: “Everyone’s dressed up, families get together, some people are crying and the guests of honor ride off in (a) fancy vehicle to an uncertain future.”
See? All in your head.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: DON | Jan 22, 2022 4:06:30 PM
personally i would rather be the guest of honour in a funeral home for why it was built than to ever get married again
Posted by: Richard | Jan 22, 2022 5:19:42 PM
Since marriage is akin to the death of your independance... maybe a wedding at a funeral home would be appropriate. And if you're really lucky, you may get to leave your mother-in-law there after the reception.
Posted by: Novaheart7 | Jan 22, 2022 7:15:06 PM
Is this some new "redneck" thing??
Posted by: DON | Jan 22, 2022 8:45:38 PM
jay leno will really take off with this one if he gets wind of it
Posted by: Dan | Jan 24, 2022 8:08:32 PM
$30,000 for the average wedding? Are you kidding me? I don't know anyone who would spend that much. Is it just me and all the people I know who get married for $10,000 or less (and still have 150-200 guests at the wedding), or does $30,000 seem kind of high?
Posted by: BigBen | Jan 25, 2022 4:49:58 PM
To "Dan" ... what are you suggesting to keep costs down? BBQ'd wienies in the back yard and NoName cola for everybody? sheesh. Good luck at a decent wedding for $50 a head unless you do a cash bar.