1. Burials and inexpensive direct cremations
Today more than ever many people are aware of saving money. Funeral costs help is a commonly searched query. Many people think of the best way to save and look into inexpensive funeral services.
Falling into debt to finance a funeral can often cause stress for those paying. There is often no need for people to go into debt, or to feel pressured that if they do not spend a large amount of money then the funeral will not be a decent dignified affair.
Government and charity help is available to certain people so it’s always worth checking if you qualify. Low-cost undertakers can still offer a fully dignified funeral at a lower cost. This post aims to educate the reader that there are low-cost funeral alternatives.
For most people, direct cremation is often the cheapest funeral cost and more of an affordable funeral package. Cremation on a weekend is normally more expensive than on a weekday. Council-run crematoriums can often offer inexpensive direct cremations than privately owned ones. This is where there are no mourners, and may not suit many people unless it was the wish of the deceased.
These simple direct cremations, which are sometimes referred to as cheap cremations are gaining popularity, more so with the example of David Bowie having chosen a direct cremation. These are most often the cheapest way to hold a cremation.
Burial costs can vary greatly depending on which area you are looking at. The cheapest burial cost is not always achieved by the deceased being buried in the same area in which they lived. It is always wise to inquire as some areas do offer cost effective burial prices compared to others.
When it comes to getting funeral costs and acheiving the cheapest burial possible, many people are often unaware that by reopening an existing family burial plot and using the space again is a more cost effective way than a new plot.
2. Low-cost undertakers
For signicant funeral costs help
Many bereaved people are often upset and not in the right frame of mind to shop around. They are not aware that many undertakers are not independent, even though their shop front may show an independent name. Many are owned by one of the few large national companies which tend to dominate the funeral market with their advertising and shop fronts.
A low-cost funeral director can also arrange a direct cremation. ‘Cheap funeral directors near’ me is a search term that is used when looking for a local low-cost undertaker. However, this is often not always accurate, and searching can be a very time-consuming process.
Significant funeral costs help can be made by using low-cost undertakers. Using a low-cost undertaker means you will still be able to have a fully dignified funeral coupled with the best way to save on funeral expenses.
It is still possible to make savings for those who wish to use a favoured undertaker they have used before. For example, it is possible to quite easily source a coffin at a cheaper cost than what the undertaker can offer, or you may prefer to decorate a cardboard coffin to personalise the funeral more.
The same can be true of an urn if you wish to store or bury cremated ashes. There are now many urn suppliers in which a customer can contact directly.
3. Organise a spokesperson for the service
Organising your own spokesperson, religious or not, to put together and read a tribute to the deceased’s life will also help you head towards an inexpensive funeral. Most undertakers charge for putting clients in contact with a spokesperson.
4. Affordable funeral plans
Funeral plans are becoming increasingly popular with around 20% of funerals now being pre-paid. Plans can be a good as they lock in a present fee, unlike a normal funeral fee which would increase over time.
Customers purchasing an affordable funeral plan must be careful to not just look for a cheap funeral plan, but make sure that their invested monies are fully protected if a funeral director should go out of business. Customers should also check to see if their policy is still valid if they move to a different area.
5. Funeral wake
If possible, provide the catering and organise the wake venue directly and not through the undertaker. A wake can be expensive, but there are also many economical funeral wake ideas.
6. Avoid unnecessary transport
Avoid using additional transport unless absolutely necessary such as limousines to the crematorium or church from an undertaker. Instead, as many people do, ask the mourners to make their own way to the service, or ask if the mourners can help out and car share.
7. Flowers
Organising any flowers yourself will also help you on the path of how to save additional funeral costs. If possible use flowers from your own garden, especially if a particular flower was a favourite of the deceased.
8. Home & natural burials
Home burials or, as some people refer to as a ‘do it yourself funeral’ is the cheapest funeral possible, although this may not be suitable for many people to organise.
Natural burials are becoming more popular as people become more aware of the environment. These types of burial may not be suitable for some grieving families as headstones are not allowed to mark the grave.
9. Coffins
Many people are unaware that they can buy a coffin directly instead of from the undertaker. There are many different types of coffin available to suit your finances. Simple cardboard coffins have been become more popular and offer the family a chance to decorate it.
10. Headstones
One of the most expensive aspects of a burial is the cost of a headstone. There are lower cost headstone providers that can supply nationwide.
Conclusion
The easiest way to get funeral costs help is to check if you are entitled to any financial help either from the Government or charities and to also use a low-cost undertaker. Additionally by using the steps outlined above and following the low-cost links you will be able to save considerable money and time searching.