How to Organise A Funeral Without Spending Unnecessarily

The average cost of a funeral has risen to nearly $8,000, which not everyone can afford. If you want to save money when organising a funeral for a loved one, there are numerous things to consider. The fact is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money when doing this if you have the right information.

Know Your Options

You will first need to consider the various options you have when it comes to planning a funeral. Having your loved one buried can cost upwards of $2,000, and that is on top of the other expenses you will encounter. 

Cremation is a much cheaper option that costs a fraction of burial. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a final decision. You can ask someone at a funeral home to educate you on all the expenses that a cremation would entail. This can help you have a brief idea on what your prepaid cremation plan costs would be, and about the options that are available other than the one mentioned above. 

Cremation services offer various options for handling a deceased person’s remains. These services can range from direct and simple methods to more elaborate ceremonies that may incorporate various rituals and memorials. 

Direct cremation is the most cost-effective and simplest type of cremation service. It involves cremating the body soon after death without any preceding formal funeral or memorial service. The process uses a basic container, and the ashes are returned to the family in an urn or other selected container. Check out cremation services in Bribie Island or your area.

You can have your loved one’s body donated to science, which can benefit future generations while allowing you to spend nothing on the funeral. There are numerous companies that can facilitate this, so you’ll want to research some of them to find the right one.

Contact Various Funeral Homes

It is also important that you make a point of finding out what some of the funeral homes in your area charge. There will be some places that are cheaper than others, so you’ll want to do this research. 

You also need to know what is included with the fee that you pay. This fee typically includes death certificates and general funeral planning services. It is important that you learn everything about the various packages each of these places offers. This will help you to make a truly educated choice.

You will likely be able to find information on each funeral home’s prices by visiting their websites. This is a fast and efficient way to narrow down your options.

Consider Foregoing the Extras

There are numerous extra services that funeral homes offer, but you shouldn’t foregoing them. This includes things like embalming and having a viewing of your loved one’s body for friends and family. There aren’t many parts of the country that require embalming for deceased persons, so you shouldn’t have any issues there. 

Choosing to not have your loved one embalmed will likely save you several hundred dollars if not more. This is not something that you’ll have to worry about if you decide on cremation.

Review Your Casket Options

If you decide to bury your loved one, you should take a look at some of the different caskets that are available. Some caskets cost upwards of $10,000, but you won’t need to spend nearly that much. There will likely be a number of economical options for those who are on a tight budget.

You should not opt for any caskets that have unnecessary extras, such as sealers. These features are completely useless when it comes to preserving the remains of your loved one. It might be a good idea for you to buy a casket from a third party. Some of these retailers charge as little as a few hundred dollars for certain caskets.

You will also be able to acquire a burial container from a third party to save some money. It is important that you look into these options as well.

Keep in mind that direct burial can save you a lot of money. This means that your loved one will be buried without being embalmed. There also won’t be visitation for family and friends. While it may not be ideal, it can help you stay within your budget.

Consider Using Your Own Urn

If you are going to have your loved one cremated, you might want to use your own urn. While you will most likely have a lot of urn options, many of them are quite expensive. You can use pretty much anything from home.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Emotions Make Financial Choices

While you may be very emotional due to the death of a loved one, it is crucial that you try to maintain a level head. If you think that you might have difficulty doing this, you should consider enlisting another family member or friend to help. This will ensure that you don’t spend more than necessary when planning the funeral. One of the main reasons that people overspend on funerals is because they get so emotional, and understandably so.