Funerals are Becoming one Last Extravagant Display of Wealth

Once upon a time destination weddings were the only big occasion that was prevalent to show a person’s wealth; now, destination funerals are becoming popular. The wealthy are dictating in their last wishes the desire for Rolls-Royce hearses, gold caskets, and other last “flairs” to show the world their prestige. “There’s a certain set of expectations about how you’re supposed to go out,” said Ted Klontz, chief executive officer of Klontz Consulting Group. “It’s become one last display of power and wealth.”

Where to be buried may also be seen as an extravagant expenditure. A crypt beneath New York’s Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral is available for $7 million. It can hold nine caskets and 10 cremated remains and according to Frank Alfieri, who oversees the church’s cemetery, three prominent families have already expressed interest.

Go big or go home.

See Olivia Carville, Funerals are Becoming one Last Extravagant Display of Wealth, Bloomberg, August 17, 2018.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.) for bringing this article to my attention.