Nearly 5 years ago, my husband’s precious maternal grandmother passed away. This special woman had an amazing sense of humor and a flair for life. Without saying a word, she could make me laugh with just a look. Several years before her death, she visited a local funeral home in order to plan her funeral services. When she passed away, the family didn’t have to deal with the stress of organizing her farewell services. They could relax, grieve, and concentrate on the wonderful memories they shared with her. I've grown to appreciate this. On this blog, you will discover the steps required to plan your own funeral.
Planning Your Funeral
The Least Expensive Way To Say A Final Farewell To A Loved One
Nora Mitchelle
The amount of money you spend farewelling a loved one isn't a reflection of how much you loved them. It's not always possible to find a large amount of money on short notice, unless your loved one had been paying for a funeral plan, or had been putting money aside for this specific reason. You'll want to give your loved one the best possible send-off while keeping to a budget that doesn't compromise on quality. So what's the best way to say farewell to your loved one without cutting corners?
Choose Cremation
Cremation is the most cost-effective way to say a traditional goodbye to a loved one. It's estimated that cremations cost about a third of the price of a typical burial.
The Funeral
The funeral service itself might take place at a church if it's to be a religious service. The chapel at the funeral home is also a good choice, especially since the rental price can be included as part of the overall fee, meaning it's often less expensive than the outright rental of a suitable venue. You can have a priest or celebrant perform the service, but a friend or family member can also have the honor, without needing to be paid.
The Casket
When your loved one's body will be at the funeral service (as is usually the case), they will need to be properly presented. Ornate, expensive caskets are unsuitable for cremation. Why spend a large amount of money on something intended to be incinerated? Your loved one can be placed in a plain, unfinished wooden casket for cremation. This casket will not release toxins (such as varnish) when burnt, meaning it's the best choice for cremation. This plain casket can then be placed inside a rented ornate casket for the funeral service. Ask the funeral home if they provide rental caskets for use during the service.
After Cremation
Once your loved one has been cremated, you will be presented with their ashes. There are a number of storage urns available, and it's a matter of choosing the most cost-effective one for your purpose. Burying the ashes or placing them in a columbarium will add to your overall costs, but there are no costs involved in retaining the ashes (keeping them at your home), or scattering them at a place that was special to your loved one.
It might seem wrong to worry about money when you've lost someone dear to you, but it's certainly possible to give them a traditional farewell without spending everything you've got.
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