Unfortunately, everyone does not have a considerable nest egg put away to pay for their funerals. As a result, it may be necessary for their loved ones to cut a few corners to stretch their dollars. The great thing is that it is possible to have beautiful, affordable funeral services without breaking the bank. Here are five tips that will help you lay your loved ones to rest without spending too much.
Be Honest With The Funeral Home Staff
If it is essential for you to have a low-cost funeral, you need to let the staff at the funeral homes know this right away. Many of them are more than willing to work with you to plan a beautiful ceremony that will not be more than you can financially handle. Their job is to make sure that your needs are met during this difficult time, and that includes helping you avoid overspending.
Bring A Friend When Making Arrangements
It is common for people to be far from level-headed when they lose someone that they care about. Being overly emotional can lead to many mistakes being made when arranging the funeral. Instead of going alone, have a trusted person, you know by your side. They will be able to help you reign it in if it seems like you are being a bit extravagant instead of focusing on affordable funeral services.
Bypass The Embalming Process
Most people think that embalming is a requirement, but it isn’t. Many people opt for this service because it preserves the body and makes it more aesthetically pleasing. If you plan to have a huge viewing, this has probably crossed your mind. It is possible to skip this step, have the funeral home refrigerate the body, and skip the chemical process. This is a much cheaper option, and it is better for the environment, so it is a win-win situation.
Limit The Visitation
Instead of having people view the body for more than one day, you can opt for quick, one-day viewing. Everyone will have to meet at this time if they wish to say their last goodbye to the departed. Since you will not require services for multiple days, you will be able to save money. It is even cheaper to have the visitation held at home, but many people are not very comfortable with this. You will have to determine which option best fits your needs and budget.
Rent A Casket
This may sound a little macabre, but there are many people taking advantage of this option. Speak with the director at the funeral home of your choice and let them know that you are interested in a rental. The body will be placed into a box, so it never actually comes in contact with the casket itself. You will be able to have a beautiful ceremony without worrying about how you are going to come up with thousands of dollars to pay for a casket.
It almost seems morbid to discuss frugality and funeral arrangements at the same time, but it is important to be realistic. Using these ideas will help you send your loved ones off respectfully without putting yourself in a huge financial bind.