No-one really enjoys talking about death… or funerals… but just because it’s a tricky subject, it doesn’t mean it’s something you should just ignore. Understanding what goes into planning a funeral may just help you when the time comes and will help you to make smart decisions. Some people even choose to plan their own funerals and this advice will also prove handy for them.
1. Understand What’s Involved
In order to plan a funeral, you need to know what happens at one. There are three main parts to this: preparing the corpse, holding the ceremony, and then the burial/cremation. There are a variety of options for each of these and which is best for you or your loved one will be a personal decision. A funeral planning checklist will help you work through each step.
2. Avoid Paying in Advance
Many funeral homes offer deals on funerals planned and paid for in advance. While this can sound like a good idea, many people have lost their payments after choosing to move to a different state. Planning a funeral doesn’t have to mean paying for it. If you do want to start putting some money aside to cover funeral costs, you can do this in a savings account.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Shop Around
With the average funeral in the United States costing between $7,000 and $10,000, it pays to shop around. This is not something many people want to do when grieving so finding a funeral home in advance is a good idea. All funeral homes are bound by the Federal Trade Commission to be upfront about prices when enquired over the phone or in person, so don’t be afraid to ask. Some companies, one example can be seen through the Fort Myers funeral homes from Baldwin Brothers, also list their prices on their website. If you visit their page, you’ll see a direct price comparison which will show you their prices compared to the others in their area. Ensure you know what is and is not included in their fee as well.
4. Only Buy What You Want
Package deals can save you a lot of money, but only if all the services you require are included. Some packages will be underwhelming, while others will include more services than you need. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to ask for an individual quote on the service you need, as it may work out cheaper. Surprisingly, you can even buy your own casket from Amazon! Not everything needs to be purchased directly from the funeral home.
5. Talk to Friends and Family
Whether planning your own funeral, or the funeral of a loved one, it’s a good idea to discuss what is required and then write the information down. Make your loved ones a part of the process, and don’t be afraid to discuss things with them. It’s much easier to discuss this while people are still alive than to be expected to plan a funeral shortly after a death with no idea where to start.
Although funeral planning isn’t something anyone enjoys doing, it is important. Keep the above advice in mind and you’ll be more prepared than most.
