Lucy Howard the owner of low-cost TDM Funeral Services talks about her best tips in supplying dignified, affordable funerals.
As the owner of TDM Funeral services and a funeral director for over twenty years, I have conducted my fair share of funeral services. We have had everything from traditional services to the most elaborate affairs. One such funeral consisted of a horse-drawn carriage followed by a twelve-piece New Orleans band.
Some may think funeral directors are experts in what works to make a funeral service meaningful.
If someone asks me this question, my answer is always the same. A meaningful funeral is not something you can put a price on, nor is it something any funeral director in the country could arrange.
An inexpensive funeral can be just as meaningful as an expensive one. The way to make a funeral special is love and togetherness. Some of the most beautiful and memorable services I have been privileged enough to arrange have been where the family supported each other. They joined for someone they all once loved enormously.
Feeling angry
One funeral, which I will never forget, was for a family who approached me after a very stressful few weeks. Following the bereavement of a much-loved family member, they had visited numerous funeral directors who had all costed them for a simple funeral. None of the costs they had received had been affordable for them.
They simply did not have that kind of money, and I remember them telling me they felt awful that they could not afford to give their loved one the funeral they deserved which made me very angry. At TDM Funeral Services i believe in trying to keep costs affordable, and help clients claim with claiming financial help from the Government where possible.
It was pure rubbish, after all, what is the best way to save for a funeral? What are the best tips for a low-cost funeral? Everyone should be able to offer their loved ones a funeral they deserve. Most do not remember how shiny the hearse was, or how smart the high street branch of the funeral directors looked. Many remember the moments that cost nothing……….like the beautiful memories that everyone shared during the service. They think about the flowers laid on grandma’s coffin from the garden that she loved so much.
They also remember that everyone held hands during grandad’s favourite song played at the end of the service. Hopefully, they are lucky enough to be able to say that they didn’t have to get into debt to say farewell to someone they loved so dearly. Here at TDM Funeral services we like to give helpful results.
TDM Funeral Services for low-cost funerals
It is crucial to mention the families who have the financial means to afford a more elaborate funeral, but feel they were not made aware of the options for a low-cost funeral service. These families need to feel they are being treated fairly and not being taken advantage of. The vast majority of funeral directors do a good job, and they have every right to charge what they see as a fair price.
Likewise, the family has every right to be able to make savings. They do so in every other purchase they make, so why is it frowned upon to try and do the same with funeral arrangements? There are so many ways to try and cut the costs of a funeral. No family should feel like every aspect of the service should be taken out of their hands when they will ultimately be paying the bill at the end.
Here at TDM Funeral Services I think everyone should know that there is no shame in finding the most affordable options for certain aspects of a funeral. This can be by collecting the costs of three or four funeral directors, although when locating costs it is difficult to find genuine low-cost undertakers.
Conclusion
You could ask if you can conduct the funeral service yourself if you feel confident. A good funeral director will guide you on how to do this. I promise you the moments that will help heal your heart and bring you comfort are those that cost nothing at all.
Much Love
Lucy x
Lucy Howard is the owner of TDM Funeral Services offering low-cost funerals.
Images copyright and courtesy of L Howard.