The expenses of funeral services can sometimes be a lot for families to cover. However, there are ways to plan a funeral on a budget, whether planning your services or making arrangements for a family member who has passed. By being intentional about your decisions, you can still honor your loved one in a meaningful way while also keeping costs manageable.

3 Tips for Planning Funeral Services on a Budget

1. Communicate Your Budget

Assess your financial resources, and set a budget upfront to cover funeral costs. Discuss your budget with your funeral director, and keep track of expenditures throughout the planning process. It may be challenging to manage financial details and prices when you’re also dealing with grief. If your funeral director understands your budget, they will help you find affordable options and ways to save money.

2. Identify Key Needs

To stay within your means, consider what’s essential to you and the deceased’s wishes. For example, if burial at a specific cemetery is a must, include approximate costs for burial services in your budget, and cut back your expenses in another area by choosing a simple spray of flowers or a less expensive casket. If you limit the bulk of your budget to one or two critical needs based on your loved one or family’s wishes, you’ll feel confident economizing elsewhere.

3. Plan Ahead, If Possible

Prearranging a funeral may not always be an option. On occasion, you may have to deal with the sudden passing of a loved one. However, if you’re thinking about future funeral arrangements, you may save money by preplanning. If you work with a local funeral home to make arrangements ahead of time, you’ll lock in prices at today’s rates and pay for services over time instead of all at once.

If you’re planning funeral services for yourself or a loved one, contact Middendorf Funeral Home. Serving families throughout Northern Kentucky since the late 1800s, they’re deeply committed to helping families through the planning process and providing the best possible experience. They’ll work with you to customize services to suit your family’s preferences and coordinate with the churches and cemeteries of your choice. To begin funeral planning, call (859) 341-7800, or visit them online to learn more about preplanning.