When you need to plan a funeral, but you do not have a lot of money to work with, you might find yourself starting to get a little worried. However, if you make it a point to check out the following tips, you should find a few ways in which you can cut costs in order to complete the planning of the funeral without going over your budget.
Ask People To Skip Out On The Flowers
Many people will send nice flowers to a funeral home so they can be displayed in the room where the viewing will take place. While they are lovely to have, they can be a waste of money when the family is really struggling to pay the funeral bill. Instead, you, your family, and even the funeral home director can ask for monetary donations to be made instead of ordering flowers. Some funeral homes will even have a website where people can write a condolences message and even make an online donation.
Add Some Fake Flowers
If you are directing everyone to skip the purchase of expensive live flowers in lieu of getting financial help with the bill, you might not end up with and flower deliveries. And that is just fine. However, if you might still want at least one flower display right next to the casket, or possibly one that rests on the casket itself. Either way, you might want to head over to the craft shop and select some nice fake flowers to put together your own arrangement. This way, you can still have the beauty of flowers, without the cost.
Limit The Amount Of Headstone Engraving
If you are purchasing a headstone for a burial plot, you will want to consider how much you really need to have engraved on the stone. By keeping it simple and sticking with the basics, you can save a lot of money. This is because many headstone engraving companies will charge by the letter. Therefore, the more letters you need engraved, the more it is going to cost you in the end.
Opt For Cremation
If you are not set firm on the decision of a burial, and your loved one never expressed any wish regarding a burial, then you might want to consider the option of cremation services. A lot of people are now opting for cremation instead of a burial, simply because of the cost. Cremation is drastically more affordable than a burial, since you do not have to purchase a gravestone, a burial plot, or a casket. The caskets that are used for viewings of those who will be cremated are generally rented or borrowed from the funeral home.
If you are still looking for some additional ways to cut costs when planning a funeral, you will want to consider talking with the director of the funeral home. He or she has most likely worked with many families like yours, who want to plan a suitable funeral, but need to stick with a budget while doing so.
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