How to Keep Funeral Costs as Low as Possible

Losing a loved one is an absolute tragedy, and if money is tight, it may also produce a stressful financial dilemma. You want to honor and celebrate your recently deceased loved one, but at the same time, lavish funerals can be exorbitantly expensive.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the national median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial is approximately $7,848 – which is 2-3 times the monthly cost of living in the United States and more than many families can afford.

What practical strategies can you use to keep funeral costs relatively low?

The FTC Funeral Rule

First, you should be aware of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule. Under this rule, consumers are allowed to “choose only those goods and services [they] want or need and to pay only for those [they] select, whether [they] are making arrangements when a death occurs or in advance.”

You have the right to do any or all of the following, all of which can help you get more accurate pricing information and feel more confident about your decisions:

Get price information via phone. If you call a funeral home directly, you have the right to get price information immediately.
See itemized pricing information. As a consumer, you also have a right to see itemized pricing information. This way, you can figure out where the bottom-line price is coming from and cut specific services that you feel are unnecessary.
Choose and pay for only the arrangements you want. Similarly, you have a right to choose and pay for only the arrangements you want. Funeral homes aren’t allowed to pressure you or force you to pay for services you didn’t request.
Receive a written quote before agreeing and paying. You’ll be able to get a full, written quote before agreeing to or paying anything.
Make funeral arrangements without embalming. There are no state laws that require embalming, though there are some laws in place that require embalming under specific circumstances, like if the body has not been buried or cremated after a specific length of time has passed.
Purchase alternative containers, products, and services from third parties. You’re free to shop around with third parties to find the right products for your needs. Because there are so many third-party options now available online, it’s easier than ever to find the perfect product for a reasonable price.

Choose Cremation (If You’re Open to It)

One of the easiest ways to keep your funeral costs low is to choose cremation. It’s possible to cremate a person for less than $1,000 in some cases, though most people pursuing cremation also choose to purchase additional products and services that can raise costs further. Even so, cremation is usually much less expensive than a traditional burial.

Cremation also offers other advantages. With a beautiful cremation urn, you can display your loved one’s remains at home; options range from traditional ceramic urns to ornate, custom pieces and even urns sculpted to model a favorite interest or hobby (like a billiards table, a truck, or a teddy bear). You can also choose to scatter the ashes in a favorite location, store them in a piece of jewelry (including stainless steel, glass, gold, and silver options, with infinite customization possibilities), or even return them to nature by planting them with a tree. The options are practically unlimited, and all of them offer a unique way to memorialize your loved one while also saving money.

Additionally, scattering the ashes of your loved one could replace a traditional memorial service, allowing you to save thousands of dollars while still honoring their memory, and gathering loved ones.

Avoid Embalming

Since you do have a right to forgo embalming in most scenarios, avoid this unnecessary service. If you’re skipping the viewing, or hosting the viewing quickly, it won’t make much of a difference – but it can save you hundreds of dollars.

Purchase Caskets, Urns, Etc. From Third Parties

If you’re going to purchase a casket, an urn, a piece of cremation jewelry, or any other product for the funeral, consider shopping with third parties. In most cases, third parties are going to offer a wider selection of products, often of better quality, and for a significantly lower price.

Shop Around

It’s a good idea to shop around with funeral homes and death care providers in general. Get written quotes from multiple people so you can compare individual items and choose the provider that makes the most financial sense for you.

Minimize the Flowers and Displays

It’s tempting to make a lavish display for your loved one, but it’s usually not necessary. Going overboard on flowers and other displays can greatly increase the costs of the funeral without adding much value to the service.

Choose a Celebration of Life

Instead of a traditional funeral, many people are choosing to plan a more positive, less formal “celebration of life.” Instead of going through traditional rites at a funeral home, you can gather with people at a local park, exchanging memories and supporting each other in whatever ways make the most sense for your family.

Preparing for Funeral Costs

While there are many strategies that can help you keep your funeral costs as low as possible, it’s also a good idea to plan ahead for your funeral expenses. Setting aside even a small amount of money each month can eventually help you save the money necessary to take care of any and all funeral expenses associated with your passing.

Funerals can be expensive, but the bottom line here is that they don’t have to be. With a little bit of preparation and the willingness to do a little bit of research, you should be in a position to make smarter, more financially sound decisions related to your loved one’s funeral – and potentially even your own.