Introduction
Most people know that funerals can be extremely expensive. And like many things today, these costs keep rising.
A funeral can be an important rite for families. They want to conduct the funeral in a way that not only honours the person who has died, but also helps them with their own sense of loss.
The traditional funeral tends to be a full service at some location (church, hall, etc.). There is someone who leads the service, service sheets, flowers, and perhaps afternoon tea or something afterward. The service may even be streamed online. The coffin is present.
The question is whether all these elements are actually necessary for a dignified and meaningful funeral. Even if costs were no concern, does simply paying more mean more?
Here are some ways to save on costs, especially for those looking to have a “proper” funeral without the huge expense.
1. The Coffin
You can save thousands of dollars based on the coffin you choose. Of course, there’s the appeal of having a beautiful, elaborate coffin. But the truth is that the coffin will eventually be buried or cremated.
There are options for using a more affordable coffin and decorating it yourself or even covering it in a flag or special blanket. There are many choices available.
You can buy kit sets or even make your own from scratch, though this may not be feasible for some people. A quick internet search can provide you with many ideas without breaking the bank.
It depends on how willing you are to spend time on this, but there are definite savings to be had.
Read more from an earlier piece I wrote on the case for the coffin.
2. Embalming
More and more people are choosing not to be embalmed. Skipping embalming can save hundreds of dollars. Is it essential? I have conducted hundreds of funerals and have only had two requests for embalming from family members. So, it isn’t necessary.
In general, keeping the deceased cool will give you several days before needing to proceed to the next step.
I’ve had family viewings without problems, and in many ways, the person looks more like themselves than after embalming.
This is how we care for the deceased.
3. The Funeral Service
As mentioned, the funeral service can be expensive, with numerous additional costs. So, what are the options?
Firstly, not having the coffin present means you don’t need the funeral directors there. I know this may sound odd, but many people are choosing to have a direct cremation first and a more formal service later.
There are many advantages to this that I discuss further on the website.
Consider aspects like service sheets – are they truly necessary? In the past, it was due to a lack of visual displays. Today, most venues have large screens for words, pictures, etc. Live streaming? This can be complicated and costly. Consider recording the service to share later, as this is often a better option.
Conclusion
For some people, the cost of a funeral is not a concern. For others, it is. Nevertheless, wanting to have a significant event for the deceased is important. Today, there are numerous options for families to consider. Spending more doesn’t always equate to better.
The greatest challenge families face is that arranging a funeral is not something they do often. Thus, it can easily become far more expensive than it needs to be. A respectful, meaningful funeral should not create financial hardship.
Do not let the cost of saying goodbye add to your grief.