As a responsible adult, making your own funeral arrangements in advance could be one of the wisest choices that you make. However, it may not always be the right time to take on yet another expense in addition to the usual bills that come along with life. After all, a funeral can cost between $7,000 and $10,000 in the United States. What many people do not know who go to pre-arrange and pre-pay for their funeral is that keeping your funeral costs low is a possibility. Here are a few easy ways that you can save $100 or more on your final funeral bill.
1. Opt not to be embalmed.
Even though embalming is often viewed as a necessity when it comes to funeral arrangements, in reality, this is not actually the case. You do have the option to choose whether or not you want to be embalmed. In general, embalming can cost as much as $1,290. If you choose not to be embalmed, this will usually mean that you will have to have a closed casket viewing at the service because the body does decompose more rapidly. However, opting for a closed casket will also mean you save for other expenses, such as those for makeup and other bodily preparations.
2. Choose to provide your own music.
Music is almost always a part of a funeral service. If you choose to allow the funeral home to handle music on your behalf at your funeral, there's a good chance that they will contract a musician. On average, musicians will charge $150 to play at a funeral service. To cut this cost, you can make arrangements personally with someone you know who plays an instrument and would be willing to play for free at your service or create your own CD that contains a playlist of your favorite songs.
3. Provide your own outfit for the funeral.
When you initially go to make arrangements at the funeral home (such as Thomas Funeral Chapels Inc), you will be given the option to choose from a catalog the outfit that you would like to be dressed in on the day of your funeral. Even though this is a convenient option to have, is much better to bring along your own clothing. Burial clothes for men can be anywhere between $150 and $400. For women, burial clothing can go as high as $350 when purchased directly from the funeral home.
Share10 May 2016
When someone that you love passes away, it isn't always easy to focus on creating a lovely event for your friends and family members. Unfortunately, when it comes to holding a nice memorial service, it is important to know how to stay calm and organized—even during stressful times. I have worked in the funeral industry for a long time, and I know what it takes to create a beautiful funeral. This website will teach you everything you need to know to plan a funeral service. In addition to teaching you how to write a eulogy and how to choose great flowers, you might even learn how to save money on the next service you have to plan.