Sunset Finances Offers Common Sense Steps to Inexpensively Shopping for Funeral Services
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 18, 2013 -- According to a July 15, 2013, Forbes article written by Carolyn McClanahan, shopping for funeral services, like any other big-ticket item, makes fiscal sense. Making a funeral plan is optimal, but many people don’t want to take that close a look at their funerals. Given that a funeral can cost upwards of $8,000, the Editor of Sunset Finances offers five funeral planning tips.
1. Have an idea of what’s wanted. Know before contacting the funeral home what services, like a hearse or embalming, are desired. Having at least the outline of a plan before calling will be hugely beneficial when the funeral director tries to “up sell.”
2. Call several places and get their price lists. Funeral homes must provide a pricelist upon request. Rather than just using a company because they’re familiar, comparison-shopping provides a market place perspective and could possibly save thousands of dollars.
3. Some things are not required. Funeral homes may say that embalming is required but actually, no state requires embalming. Similarly, some cemeteries may require a casket vault or liner although again, no state requires them. Be sure to check to find out exactly who is requiring what.
4. Dust to dust. Green funerals are far less costly than “traditional” funerals. Natural burial grounds accept shrouded bodies and biodegradable caskets. Without the cost of embalming and steel caskets, a green funeral is dramatically less costly and more Earth-friendly, which may be important to some decedents.
5. Personalize the service. Plan a service that is personal and represents the deceased. Rather than utilizing the funeral home for viewing and a service, make it personal by using the church the person went to, or a special outdoor area or park.
SunsetFinances.com realizes the extraordinary cost of funerals and offers some funeral shopping tips to make the process less stressful and less costly.
About Sunset Finances:
SunsetFinances.com honors those loved ones who are no longer with us and commemorates their lives.
Sunset Finances, sunsetfinances.com, (708) 669-6249, [email protected]
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