How To Reduce Funeral Costs

The cost of a funeral is becoming mainstream news as prices increase across the country. This price increase has lead to a CMA investigation. However, when planning a funeral, a family can make several decisions that can increase or decrease the cost of the funeral. Factors which can help reduce funeral costs are; burial fees, flowers, transport, the wake, and the funeral director.

Compare funeral directors

If you want to reduce the cost of a funeral, we suggest you start by comparing quotes from several funeral homes. Funeral directors should be able to provide a quote based on your rough needs. If they are reluctant, it might be best if you go elsewhere. If you are still unsure, please give us a call and we can try and send you in the right direction.

Burial and cremation fee

Burial and cremation fees are often the most expensive part of a funeral. This is particularly true with burials, which varies based on your location. Inner-city burials, as an example, are more expensive compared to rural areas. A way to reduce the cost of a funeral, therefore, is to opt for natural burial or direct cremation.

A natural burial is often cheaper and is generally considered to be much better for the environment. The Natural Death Centre has a lot of information on this type of burial.

A direct cremation can also help reduce the cost of a funeral as it takes place outside of crematorium peak hours and no mourners attend. The ashes are then returned to the family, who can celebrate the life of their loved one any way they choose.

Transportation

In the UK, traditional funeral limousines and hearses that lead the way to the funeral service. However, you can certainly reduce funeral costs by limiting the transportation services offered by the funeral home and neither of these vehicles is actually required. Don’t let the funeral director apply any pressure, it is ultimately your decision.  

The wake

The wake, which is a function after the funeral, can also increase the costs of a funeral. There are ways you can reduce the cost of a funeral here. A thing to mention, there is no ‘correct’ way to host a wake. Do what feels right and plan within your means.

Rather than hiring a venue, the wake can be held at somebody’s home. This could be your home, the home of the deceased or a family member of the deceased. Rather than hiring a catering company for food, you can ask your close family and friends to bring a plate of food. They will be wanting to help and this will help to reduce the cost of the funeral. 

Plan ahead

The days and weeks following the death of a loved one can be an overwhelming period. You can sometimes overthink things. If you put a plan in place beforehand, you can alleviate some of the costs by letting your family know what you are and are not interested in.