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
Funeral Costs: Affording A Proper Farewell When Times Are Tough
Nora Mitchelle
The distress of losing a loved one can be made worse by a sad realization—you don't have the money to give them a funeral. Not everyone makes financial arrangements for their own funeral, whether with a life insurance policy or by paying their funeral costs in advance. It's often left to family and friends to come up with the money, and this can be difficult, if not impossible. How can you give your loved one a dignified farewell when money is tight?
Direct Cremation
The most cost-effective option is generally direct cremation. This cremation service is intended to be an immediate option, carried out as soon as possible after your loved one passes away. Once a death certificate is issued, your loved one can be transported to the crematorium.
An Immediate Service
The cremation takes place shortly after arrival at the crematory. The promptness of the service means the deceased's remains need not be preserved at a funeral home, whether this is in cold storage or via embalming. These options allow for the safe keeping of remains until such time as a funeral can be arranged, followed by cremation or burial. This is the traditional approach but is part of what contributes to the cost of a funeral.
Primary Cost
Following the direct cremation, you will be presented with your loved one's ashes. The primary end-of-life cost has already been taken care of. The immediate, simple, and straightforward nature of direct cremation means that this process is less expensive than traditional cremation or burial, which is often arranged in conjunction with a formal funeral.
Self-Arranged Memorial
You may not be in a financial position to give your loved one an elaborate funeral, but there's no reason why they can't be given a respectful goodbye. You can now arrange a memorial service for them, with their cremated remains taking pride of place. Because the cremation has been completed, your loved one's remains are indefinitely preserved. This allows for flexibility in choosing a date. The service can still be traditionally formal, taking place in a church or funeral parlor, as finances permit. It can also be a more casual affair, taking place in a private home.
Your Loved One's Ashes
Following the memorial service, what happens to your loved one's ashes is at your discretion. You may want to transfer them to an ornamental urn and put them on your mantel. Scattering the ashes in a specially chosen location is an option if you appreciate the symbolism of a final resting place for your loved one.
Direct cremation, followed by a self-arranged memorial service allows you to give your loved one a proper, respectful farewell even when money is tight.
For more information about cremation, contact a local funeral home.
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