6 Tips for Planning a Low-cost Funeral

When a loved one dies, the last thing on your mind is money. But the cost of a funeral can quickly add up, leaving you with a financial burden at a time when you’re already grieving.

It is for these reasons that more and more people are now taking out burial insurance.

Burial insurance is a type of life insurance policy that pays out a set amount of money upon the death of the policyholder. This money can be used to cover the costs of the necessities involved in a funeral or burial. This can include the transportation of the deceased, funeral director costs, the price of a coffin or casket, and the expense of memorial benches, cremation Headstones, and cemetery monuments. Needless to say, these are the things that the loved ones of the deceased often opt for in the loving memory of the individual.

In some cases, burial insurance can be much cheaper than other types of life insurance policies, making it an affordable option for those looking to ensure their funeral costs are covered.

If you would like to learn more about how you can take out insurance to pay for funeral costs, you can find some helpful resources online.

With that being said, what else can be done to reduce funeral costs?

Here are six tips for planning a funeral on a budget.

Shop around

There is a lot of competition in the funeral industry, so it pays to shop around. Get price quotes from several funeral homes and compare them before making a decision.

It is also worth using a funeral director who is willing to work with you on costs.

Some funeral directors are more flexible than others. If you’re on a tight budget, look for a funeral director who you can trust and who is willing to work with you to keep costs as low as possible.

Choose a simple casket

Caskets can be very expensive, so opting for a simple wood or fiberglass model can save you a lot of money.

Nowadays, there are also biodegradable options, like wicker baskets, which can be even more affordable so it is important to research all of the different options when choosing your final resting place.

Skip the flowers

Flowers can be very expensive, so you may want to skip them altogether or ask family and friends to donate flowers instead of buying them.

Avoid extras

Extras like limousines, obituary notices, and thank-you cards can add up quickly, so only include them if you need them.

Transportation to and from the venue can be incredibly expensive. Therefore, where possible try to encourage people to form groups so they can arrive in the same vehicles.

If agreed with all relatives beforehand, obituary notices can be posted on social media for free. Instead of posting thank you cards, you could write personal emails to everyone who attended the funeral.

Keep the guest list small

This means limiting the invitees to close friends and family members only. If you have a larger network of friends, you may want to consider hosting a memorial service for everyone to attend instead.

A memorial service could be as simple as food and drinks at a loved one’s home, or a trip to a favorite restaurant. While this may seem like a lot of work at first, it can be quite therapeutic for those who are grieving.

Since the pandemic, virtual services have also been introduced as a cost-effective and safe alternative for people to pay respects and say goodbye. It might therefore be worth considering a virtual element to the service for people who cannot attend in person.

Consider using a funeral home that offers cremation services

Cremation is typically cheaper than a traditional burial, so this could be a great option if you’re looking to save money depending on your last wishes. Plus, there are a variety of different ways you can still honor someone’s memory without a burial.

For example, ashes can be made into a piece of jewelry, or you can scatter them in a place that is special and has meaning.

Ultimately, by following some of the tips mentioned above, you can save money on the cost of a funeral and avoid financial stress at an already difficult time.