Tips for Making Funeral Planning More Affordable

Whether you are in charge of planning a funeral for a loved one or you are trying to plan your own, you might find yourself amazed at some of the prices for everything. It can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with everything that goes into making funeral arrangements. If you would like to try and save as much money as you can, check out the following:

1. Consider Cremation as an Alternative to a Burial

You might have simply always assumed that burial was the way to go, but if there are no religious or personal objections to cremation, it can be the more affordable option. You can save a lot of money by choosing to be cremated because you no longer have to worry about buying the casket, burial space, or the marker or headstone for the gravesite. You can still have a viewing if you wish, as you would simply rent a casket from the funeral home for the viewing time. Since you will not have a burial plot to mark, you will not have to pay for the added cost of headstone engraving.

2. Look for Private Burial Sites Sellers

If you do not have a specific church or public cemetery that you would want to be buried in, you will have more options. Look online and talk to the funeral home director to see if they know of anyone that is selling a burial plot that they previously purchased. They might have been trying to pre-plan their funeral but have run into financial difficulty. They might want to sell their plot for some cash. You can usually get a cheaper deal that way. You may also want to find out if they also have a headstone for sale. If the headstone has not yet had any personalized engraving done to it, you can have it engraved with the information for your loved one but at a more affordable price.

3. Ask for Only One Viewing Time

Some people will pay for a couple of viewing days, allowing their friends and family more time to pay their final respects. However, the more time you have a viewing room reserved for, the more money you have to spend. If you are expecting a small turnout or you simply want to save the money, explain to the funeral director that you only want one viewing time. Pick a day and opt for the evening viewing, as this might make it easier for everyone to work it into their schedule.

You will also want to explain to the funeral home director that you are trying to plan everything on a budget. They might have a few good ideas to share with you in regards to how you can save even more money on the funeral arrangements.