Below are some tips on how to save money during one of the hardest times in your life.
Consider direct cremation: direct cremation is the simplest form of cremation and doesn’t include a witness or a service beforehand. It’s also the fastest growing choice for most families because it’s both more affordable and simpler to arrange. Direct cremation will often cost hundreds, rather than thousands, of cash.
Arrange as little as possible through a funeral home: a traditional funeral home will be able to arrange everything for you. However, the cost is often much higher than if you make the arrangements yourself. Consider online funeral homes – they have lower costs because they don’t need to pay to maintain an expensive building.
Think about an alternative memorial service: if you arrange through a church or funeral home, service will be one of your highest costs. Think about alternatives that you can arrange yourself: a picnic, a walk or a dinner party can all be special and a fraction of the price. Here are six ideas for memorial ceremonies to help you create one more lasting memory about your loved one.
Buy an urn online: urns are another area where you can save money by shopping online. You’re likely to find a broader selection and a lower price than if you buy through your funeral home direct.
Make sure you compare like for like: be careful when you’re comparing the cost of a cremation between funeral homes – prices advertised online aren’t always what they seem. For a direct cremation, you should make sure that the quote you get includes:
- Collection of your loved one
- Filing of paperwork and permits
- The cremation container
- Cremation itself
- An ashes container
- Return of the ashes
