Planning A Beautiful Service

Minimizing Funeral Costs

21 January 2016

Cherly Fox

Planning a funeral can be an emotionally and financially draining experience, and although only your friends and family can help ease the emotional strain, this guide can help minimize the financial drain. 

The first step in planning any event is to determine the budget. The average funeral with burial costs about $8,500 and the average funeral with cremation costs about $6,000. Many people prepay some funeral costs or have life insurance that can help pay for the funeral, so be sure to identify all financial sources before making any purchases or signing contracts.

After you've determined the budget, you'll need to decide whether the deceased will be buried or cremated. Most people leave instructions expressing their wishes and it's important to abide by them. However, if they haven't done so, this will be the first major decision you'll have to make.

Whether the deceased is buried or cremated, you'll need to pay for use of the funeral home and related services. Typically, you can decide to exclude certain services, such as use of a limousine, to lower your costs. You can also save by excluding embalming if a viewing isn't taking place.

You can save the most money by trimming the following costs.

• Flowers: Floral arrangements are expensive. Many people will send flowers, so use those to decorate the area near the casket and the viewing room. Use the flowers from the viewing at the funeral as well. If you'd like to purchase flowers, limit your purchase to one casket arrangement and have a friend make the boutonnieres for the pallbearers.
• Programs: Many funeral homes will include programs in their packages, but if programs are an additional fee, you can create your own and print them at a local copy/print store for a fraction of the cost.
• Limousine: Instead of hiring a limousine service, ask a couple of friends with nice sedans to drive the family members to the funeral home and cemetery.
• Special Décor: Photo displays are an inexpensive décor item and a lovely way to celebrate your loved one's life. Set up a table with photos of the deceased or create a scrapbook of their family and life to display. 
• Refreshments: Keep it simple with cookies, a fruit and cheese tray, and coffee and lemonade. 

With this guide in hand, you'll be able to reduce the financial drain of a funeral and remember your loved one in peace. Have a local funeral home, such as Fletcher Funeral Home PA, help you with this difficult process. 

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