What Steps Should I Take to Plan a Low-Cost Funeral for a Loved One?

There are several steps involved with organizing a meaningful, low-cost funeral for a loved one. The first step to take before making any arrangements is to determine if your loved one has a pre-existing funeral plan or any benefits that may cover the cost of the funeral. They may have prepaid for services ahead of time, which can significantly reduce the expenses associated with remaining arrangements. If a prepaid funeral plan is not available, the next step is to make a list of everything that you want to be included in your loved one’s funeral.

Creating a list of services, amenities, and other important components of the funeral can help you identify what needs to be researched when you begin to review your options and compare prices. It makes it easier to create a reasonable estimate of the expenses in relation to your actual budget for the funeral. Finally, it allows you to identify services that you can manage on your own and personalize with your family rather than paying for a third party to manage it for a higher cost. When you contact funeral homes, you can request their price list for their services and further guidance on which services are optional or necessary. Additionally, you can contact your local Funeral Consumers Alliance affiliate, which often conducts price surveys and may list costs for services like direct cremation or immediate burial; some consumer-friendly funeral homes also post their complete General Price List (GPL) online. If your loved one didn’t have a preference, this is also an appropriate time to determine if you want to look at lower-cost options such as direct cremation, direct burial, green burial, or home funerals.

Sometimes it can be helpful to identify the aspects of the funeral that matter the most to you, your family, and your loved one. Prioritizing the costs of these aspects over the components that are less important or optional is an effective way to plan a funeral that remains authentic to the meaning of the event without overspending. For example, if having a visitation is an important aspect, you might consider having it immediately before the funeral or limiting the number of hours that it can be held to reduce the charges associated with the funeral home. If you don’t need a procession to the cemetery, opting for graveside-only services can be a more affordable option instead. 

Instead of opting for elaborate visual elements and decorations for the service, you can reduce additional costs by using items that you already have. This can include photographs of your loved one, lighting candles, or creating smaller displays for memorials. Even small changes, such as using flowers or plants from your own backyard or repurposing artificial flowers, can help you save hundreds of dollars. Overall, making strategic and thoughtful decisions during the planning process is key to successfully staying within your budget for a low-cost funeral. 

Sources

“Step-by-step guide to planning a funeral”. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/community-hub/funeral-planning/2020/03/24/step-step-guide-planning-funeral/4933345002/ 

“How to Plan the Most Affordable Funeral”. Funeralocity. https://www.funeralocity.com/blog/how-to-plan-the-most-affordable-funeral/