How Do You Pay For A Funeral

how do you pay for a funeral

Did you know that in the United States, the average cost of a full-service “conventional burial,” excluding cemetery and reception charges, is over $7,000?! Makes you think, how do you pay for a funeral? Funerals are ranked as the second or third most costly life event. Regrettably, fewer than a third of the US population has funeral preparations, and less than 40% have any type of life insurance to cover funeral expenditures.

Most funeral houses, on the other hand, require payment after the preparations have been completed. What does this imply for you as an individual? You must pay for everything once you’ve finalized your arrangements but before the services are rendered. You could be startled by the bottom line when you’ve described all of the elements around the funeral ceremony. Most funeral homes accept the following types of payment:

  1. Funded Pre-Need Contract: Prior to death, a financed pre-need contract was started and completed.
  2. Life Insurance: Payment can be made with a verified life insurance policy(s). Some funeral establishments employ a factoring business to get accelerated payments from the proceeds of life insurance policies. For accelerated payment services, a funeral home may charge the client to pay a factoring fee. These charges range from 3.50 percent to 5.00 percent of the total cost of the products and services covered by life insurance.
  3. Cash/Check
  4. Credit Card: Major credit cards are accepted by the majority of funeral establishments. Previously, a funeral home could not charge a “use/convenience fee” for using a credit card; but, with new credit card laws that took effect on January 27, 2013, funeral homes in certain states can now do so.
  5. Payments Over Time: For goods and services are given, certain funeral homes may offer in-house or third-party payment methods. Creditworthiness, down payments, and interest are all factors that may influence eligibility for such services.
  6. Veteran’s Benefits: If a veteran or a veteran’s spouse meets the VA’s criteria, the VA will pay for a portion or possibly all of the funeral costs. The veteran and his or her spouse may be eligible for free burial privileges in a veteran or national cemetery.

How do you pay for a Funeral with No Money?

It’s painful enough to lose a loved one. It’s much worse if you’re having trouble paying for the funeral. You should realize that if you don’t have enough money to pay for a funeral, you still have choices. Many organizations and government agencies have programs, and you can even raise funds on your own. You also do not have to pay for a lavish funeral. You may save thousands of dollars by selecting one of the numerous economical choices.

Here are a few ideas on how to pay for a funeral if you don’t have any money.

Consider Affordable Options

While the typical funeral costs about $9,000, if you know what your alternatives are, you may frequently have a less expensive funeral. Consult your local funeral director about more cost-effective choices, and don’t be hesitant to phone several funeral homes to compare pricing and services. Here are some funeral alternatives to consider.

Cremation

Direct cremation and ordinary cremation are the two methods of cremation. Depending on where you live, a direct cremation costs only a few thousand dollars or less. Direct cremation does not need the services of a funeral home, so your loved one’s ashes are sent directly to you, allowing you to hold a memorial service at a separate location. You can have a viewing before the cremation and use the funeral home and all of its amenities if you choose normal cremation. Regular cremation may be very expensive, so if you want to save money on cremation, consider having a direct cremation with a separate service.

When a family cannot afford a traditional burial, they frequently choose cremation. Cremation also allows the family additional options when it comes to their loved one’s remains, enabling the ashes to be spread at a meaningful spot for the departed. It’s a wonderful way to remember and commemorate your loved one.

Green Burial

Another fantastic approach to save money on a funeral is to choose green burial. As people grow more aware of environmental problems, these forms of funerals are becoming increasingly common. Funeral houses do not utilize embalming fluid in green burials, and cemetery sites do not allow vaults. They only accept biodegradable and non-toxic caskets.

Instead of a coffin, some green cemeteries allow handcrafted wooden caskets, cardboard caskets, or even a special blanket or shroud. Find out what alternatives are available at your local green cemetery.

Home Funeral

Private home burial may be the best solution in some instances. Make sure you obey all state and federal rules while holding a home funeral. Keep in mind that any memorial ceremony you arrange may have fees associated with it, such as music, food, seating, and so on.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.