Funerals are one of the largest expenses that you'll ever have. Each of the choices that you make during the planning stages will contribute to the final costs. Whether you're doing some advanced planning on your services for your family or you're planning a funeral for a loved one, you'll want to ensure that you're getting the most for your money. Here are a few tips to help you plan a funeral service on a tight budget.
Skip the Embalming Process
Embalming is often done so that you can have an open casket service. If you opt for a closed casket instead, you may be able to opt out of the embalming process, saving the fees for it as well. Since embalming can be expensive, this might save you significantly.
Limit Visiting Hours
Most people plan visiting hours for a day or two before the service and pay a fee for those visiting hours. In some cases, you can reduce the fees associated with the visiting hours if you choose to hold them a couple of hours before the funeral instead. In some cases, funeral homes will discount the fees for visiting hours if you're holding them the same day because the funeral home is already going to be open so that they can set up for the funeral service.
Be Selective About the Services
When it comes to planning the final funeral services, there are many different options to consider. Whether you're looking for burial or cremation, the fees will be different. Additionally, if you consider limiting the attendance to the service, that can reduce your costs as well. Some people find it more affordable to have the funeral home service with close friends and family members, then follow up with a memorial at a local church or other venue for other attendees.
Save With Advanced Planning
Although you can't do the planning in advance for a loved one's service, planning your own ahead of time can significantly reduce the cost of the services. Talk with a local funeral home about any discounts they may offer for paying in advance for services. Just make sure that you have contractual guarantees that there won't be any future price increases so that you can save your family from any cost increases after your death.
With the tips presented here, you can plan the service that you've wanted for you or your loved one without finding yourself in a financial bind. Even if your loved one has life insurance to cover the costs, these tips can help you save in the process.
To learn more, contact a funeral home like O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral & Cremation Services.
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