The death of a loved one is always traumatic, especially if the death was unexpected. If you have to deal with the death of a loved one on top of making arrangements for their funeral, it can be more difficult than it already is. What makes the situation worse is the, often, exorbitant cost of arranging a funeral, and many people don’t have the right information in their hands and end up spending more for something which they could have got for less.
Are you arranging the funeral of a loved one and are worried about the cost? This is entirely understandable, and you are not alone. Here’s how you can easily and conveniently save on funeral costs.
Choosing between a burial or a cremation
A cremation will cost significantly less than a burial, with a burial averaging around £4,200, and a cremation averaging around £3,300. If you want to save on expenses, you can choose to have your loved one’s remains cremated rather than buried. You can also choose to have a direct cremation, and this is where the body is cremated as soon as it is taken from the mortuary. Even if there is no ceremony, you can choose to collect your loved one’s ashes then simply have a ceremony at a later time and date and at a different place.
Comparing services
Funerals are often arranged by funeral directors, and they play a central role – they finalise the paperwork, fix all the details such as the transfer and transport of the body, the arrangement for the funeral ceremony, and more. If you don’t want to take on the arduous and often stressful task of arranging everything for the funeral, you can rely on a funeral director. But the cost for funeral directors’ services can vary based on the region and the local area, so it would be a good idea to compare fees for funeral directors as well. You can also compare costs for florists, caterers, and other services in order to get the best price.
Your options when it comes to coffins
In order to save more on funeral expenses, you can take advantage of various options when it comes to coffins. In the United Kingdom, you don’t have to follow any legal regulation regarding the use of coffins. This means that you don’t need to use a coffin for the deceased if you don’t want to. However, you are required to make sure that the body is still covered, and a crematorium will usually require a shroud or coffin as well. Rather than a coffin, you can opt for a shroud instead, and this is laid over the deceased. You can also lay decorations around the shroud, such as flowers as well as other keepsakes or mementos. If you choose to have a coffin, you can opt for more budget-friendly coffins made from chipboard and veneer, willow, or even cardboard.
Cheap funerals don’t mean that you are not paying the proper tribute to your loved one. In this day and age, it pays to be economical, and you can show your love and devotion in other simpler and more touching and memorable ways.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
