ARTICLE ON COST SAVING
The 6 most important things to remember when planning a cost conscious funeral
In the United States alone, there are approximately 2 million
deaths per year. Unfortunately, funerals were reported to be in the
top ten reasons why people file bankruptcy. Therefore,
especially in this economy, its important to heed the advice of
professionals. This quick list will provide consumers with some
helpful tips on everything from saving money, avoiding pressure sales
and creating a unique and personalized service for your loved one.
1. Discuss a plan - Talk to the family and discuss what kind of funeral
arrangements your loved one would have wanted. Don't call a funeral
home without having discussed it ahead of time. A funeral should
reflect the deceased's life rather than focusing on their death. It's a
common misconception that funeral directors will help you plan a
personalized "celebration of life". Some do, but most funeral homes
are too busy to make the service as unique as your loved one. It will
be up to you to create a personalized service that reflects their life
and help the surviving family heal.
2. Know your budget - With the average funeral costing between $6,800 and
$10,000, it is critical to decide on the budget in advance. It is also
important to know how you will pay for the funeral. If there is more
than one source of financing, who is contributing and how much? Can you
access a Veteran fund? Remember, your loved one would not want you to
go into extreme debt on their behalf.
3.
Life insurance - Many people are unaware that most life insurance
policies contain a provision that allows for an early withdrawl to
handle final arrangements. This can and should be handled directly
with the insurance provider without the involvement of the funeral home
and mortuary. It may take a bit of coordination, however it is well
worth handling on your own.
4. Shop around - This may seem strange in this kind
circumstance, however it is essential to getting the best possible
price available. Most funeral homes and mortuaries will assume that
people will not shop around and don't rush into a "package deal". If
you take the time to chose wisely could result in you saving a lot of
money. In terms of cost, it's also important to know that there is no
requirement to make all of your purchases at the funeral home or
mortuary. Again, do this before calling a funeral director.
5. Don't go it alone - It's best to have someone go with you.
In selecting this individual, try to choose someone that can remain
objective. This is an important step in minimizing the psychological
up-selling that can happen during emotional decision making.
6. Consider getting a professional involved
- People faced with this situation are often
handling the details for the first time. Although there are books
available, mentally and emotionally these tools are difficult to digest
at the time. Many people
feel they have to take on these duties to "show respect" for their
loved one. Often times, the person who handled the service did not
have time to grieve themselves and can end up
resentful. If you need help, contact
your local professional funeral planner and see how they can make this
process easier for you. When making your selection be sure to check
that they are licensed, are in good standing with the Better Business
Bureau, and are independent (not paid by
a funeral home or mortuary), so that you can get the most objective
advice possible.
