The astronomical price tag associated with traditional funeral services can be pretty devastating. After all, you’ve gone through enough as it is, the last thing you should have to worry about is how you’re going to pay for a service. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. You can save tens of thousands of dollars without sacrificing quality or compassion. We’ll tell you how to do it.

Rethink the Visitation($200-1200 savings)
Some funeral homes recommend a 2 day visitation before the funeral service in order to ensure that family and friends have plenty of time to pay their final respects. Generally speaking, we’ve found that you really don’t need more than a few hours. Any longer than that and you risk feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or just plain over it. Instead, offer a brief visitation period in the time immediately before the service. That way, people can still offer their condolences but you aren’t left footing a huge bill.

Consider Your Casket Options ($500-5000 savings)
A lot of the expense associated with traditional funerals comes with the casket. A relatively simple model can cost upwards of $3,000 and more elaborate designs can set you back significantly more. Despite what some people may try to tell you, you don’t need to prove your love by spending a lot of money. Unless it’s important to you or your loved one, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with opting for a less expensive option (if you even require a casket all.)

Don’t Attend the Burial ($300-1500 savings)
Ask yourself whether or not attending the burial is important to you. If you opt not to participate, you could save a lot of money by eliminating the need for various cemetery and transportation fees. That being said, being present for the final moment can be pretty meaningful. Avoid skyrocketing costs by having friends and family meet at the grave site (as opposed to being a part of a funeral procession), use your own car instead of a limousine, ask the funeral home not to use a lead car, and transport any flowers yourself.

Newspapers Charge by the Line ($100 – 1000 savings)
In this digital age, newspaper death notices are becoming less and less common. However, a lot of families still find value in the old-fashioned obituary and we agree that there’s always something to be said about the printed word. If you’d like to go the newspaper route, know that there are ways to keep costs low. Opt for a simple notification and save details for an online tribute or memorial page. Only submit to newspapers that your loved one’s friends and family read. Take advantage of social media’s wide reach and explore the possibility of setting up a commemorative website.

Regardless of how you choose to arrange a funeral service, know that there are always options available to you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and always feel confident in your decisions. The little things can add up- flowers, catering, chapel fees. Shop around and fight for the best price. You deserve it.

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