How to Pre-Plan a Funeral to Save Money

Funerals can be costly—and sometimes the expense of a funeral can be daunting to family members, especially when someone has died unexpectedly. Pre-planning a funeral for yourself or a loved one can help to save some of the financial burden and costs of a funeral service.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Funeral home

1. If the service is for yourself, go to a local funeral home and talk to a funeral director. If you are helping a family member or friend plan a funeral, go together to talk to a funeral director.

2. Set a budget for the funeral you are pre-planning.

3. Talk to the funeral director about the options available.

4. Discuss the things you would like at the funeral—casket type, cremation or burial, burial plots, flowers, donations, tree-planting ceremony, graveside ceremony, funeral service, music, poetry, readings and speakers.

5. Make some solid decisions about these subjects. The funeral director will be able to help you make many of these decisions based on your needs, wishes, wants and budget.

6. Write down your funeral plans, or have a copy made. Put these plans in a safe place where others will find it. Tell key family members where the plans are.

7. You can pre-pay for the funeral arrangements as well, in monthly payments or a lump sum.

Tips & Warnings

• Pre-planning a funeral for yourself or a loved one can save thousands of dollars and takes some of the pressure off the family when someone passes away. It can be a daunting task to plan a funeral in the middle of grieving.