How to Finance a Funeral

Funerals are often expensive and require financial planning.

Losing a friend or a relative is a difficult reality that many often face at some point in life. On top of dealing with the grief of losing someone, you may also have the task of figuring out how to pay for his funeral. While some make arrangements ahead of time, other times relatives and friends are left to make the arrangements after an unexpected death. Funerals are often expensive, with costs easily running into the thousands. Knowing ways that you can finance a funeral will help you plan a service that honors the deceased without causing significant debt.

Instructions

1. Find out if the deceased had any wishes for the funeral service. Contact the deceased's family or lawyer to find out if he made specific arrangements. If the deceased has a lawyer, find out if there was money or an insurance plan left specifically to pay for a funeral service. Sometimes arrangements are made by the deceased ahead of time.

2. Check with the deceased's bank to see if it contains additional funds that can be used for the funeral service. While the deceased's account will be frozen upon his death, the deceased's lawyer or executor of estate may be able to release the funds for funeral costs.

3. Contact local funeral homes and inquire about their fees. Prices for funeral services can vary depending on the funeral home. For instance, some funeral homes have separate charges for various services such as embalming, while others may offer a package deal.

4. Itemize the list of expenses once you have chosen a funeral home. Organize the list of expenses so that you know the exact cost of the funeral and services.

5. Inquire with the funeral home about a payment plan. Funeral homes are aware that funerals are not always planned and could be willing to arrange a plan so you can make payments over time.

6. Ask family members of the deceased to contribute to funeral costs. Do not put yourself in debt trying to handle all of the funeral costs on your own if other family members are willing to help pay for funeral services.

References

• Directgov: Paying for a Funeral
• Rocket Lawyer: How to Pay for Funeral and Memorial Service Costs; 2011