Whether you’re relying on savings or investing in a final expense insurance policy, it’s not a bad idea to reevaluate your funeral budget. Your savings or policy should cover your final expenses, so you’ll likely need to estimate what those expenses are.
In most cases, the first step in creating a funeral budget is to determine the services you want and calculate the average cost of each. Do you want to be buried or cremated? Do you want your funeral to be held at a specific funeral home or include any additional services?
Traditional burials tend to be far more expensive than cremation services. In fact, the average cremation cost is typically a third of the average funeral burial expenses. Budget cremation is a less costly alternative to burials, with the average price falling between $700 and $3,000. However, even with affordable cremation, you might face additional fees for extra services, such as memorial services.
Take the time to consider funeral prices you may not have thought of yet. Other common funeral costs to consider include the following:
- Embalming: Embalming preserves your body after you pass for a period of time. These services are necessary if you want a viewing where your family and friends can say their final goodbye. Additionally, viewing services often include preparing dress, hair, and makeup.
- Transportation: You can expect transportation fees for transferring your body from your home or a hospital to the funeral home. It’s common for transportation to cost hundreds of dollars in funeral prices. Additionally, you’ll likely incur additional fees to be transported from the funeral home to a burial site.
- Standard Service Charges: These are basic fees that funeral homes charge, and can vary by the type of services you’re looking for.
- Post-Funeral Expenses: Post funeral costs can include expenses related to things like a reception, meals, or other related costs.
Looking to save money on a funeral? Once you have a better idea of the savings or insurance policy benefit amount you’ll need, here are a few tips you can follow to try and save more on funeral costs.
Plan Ahead
Don’t wait until the last minute to begin saving for your final expenses. Additionally, you can avoid having your loved ones fall for upcharges by making the arrangements yourself before your passing.
Prepay
If you can, plan even further ahead by prepaying your burial and funeral expenses. Most funeral homes have prepaid options, and it’s often cheaper for you to pay ahead of time.
Consider Low Cost Alternatives
Traditional funerals are expensive, but you have other options to consider, including direct burials and cremation services.
Choose a Funeral Home With the Right Price
Take the time to “shop around” to find a funeral home that offers the most at the most affordable prices. Consider what you may be able to afford and try to stick to your personal budget.
By Admin –
