KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Joyce Woolridge recently lost two family members, and in each case, cost influenced the funeral decisions.

Funeral directors say they are aware of the effects of the sluggish economy and are trying to make things easier for families in a variety of ways. And that same economy may be changing some long-held traditions.

The cost of a funeral can vary greatly, depending on the funeral home and services provided.

According to the National Association of Funeral Directors, the average funeral in the U.S. costs $6,560. The average with a vault is $7,755.

The association says these figures do not take into account cemetery markers and other miscellaneous items like flowers and newspaper obituaries.

Funeral directors said they try to offer the quality of service the families want with the funds available.

In Woolridge's family, cremation was chosen as a less-expensive option.

In one case, the relative told his family he wanted a cremation because he didn't want funeral expenses to use all of his insurance money, Woolridge said. The Kansas City, Kan., resident wanted to leave something to his daughter.

In the other case, "money definitely was a factor," she said, because the deceased didn't have insurance.

Woolridge said the funeral home worked with her family, not charging for some services and discounting other services.

The Rev. Eric Laverentz, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Stanley in Overland Park, Kan., said more families are choosing cremation.

"It used to be rare," he said. "Perhaps one out of every five deceased would be cremated when I first started in ministry 14 years ago. Now it's about half.

"I think today it is more socially acceptable, and many people are not as tied to the location of a grave. But money also factors into it."

Among practicing Jews, cremation is rare. Among Orthodox and Conservative Jews, burial should be done within 24 hours if possible or within 48 hours, said Rabbi Herbert Mandl of Kehilath Israel Synagogue in Overland Park. There is no embalming or cremation because that is tampering with the body; "you're supposed to return the way you came," he said.

Michael Epstein, co-owner of Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave., which does Jewish funerals, said he wouldn't want anyone to choose cremation because of cost.

"With the help of the Jewish community, we can assist a family to have a funeral," he said.