Tips to Help You Save Money on Final Expenses

Learning that a loved one has passed away is often devastating news. Grief and sorrow often set in quickly after the death of a loved one, especially if the death was completely unexpected. After a loved one passes, you will need to look at funeral homes in Columbia TN to work with. However, planning a funeral can also be financially stressful. Use the following tips to help you save money when making final arrangements for a recently deceased loved one:

Contact Several Funeral Homes

Selecting a funeral home is not anything like buying a new car. In most cases, the services of a funeral home are needed quickly, and grief can make it difficult to choose the right one. But, contacting a few different funeral homes can help you save money on the total cost of final arrangements.

Just like any business, the prices charged for services vary from one funeral home to another. But, funeral homes are required to be transparent about their prices. Calling a few different funeral homes and inquiring about their fees can help you choose the funeral home that is the most affordable.

Opt for Direct Cremation

If you have a tight budget, you may want to seriously consider choosing direct cremation for the body of your loved one. With direct cremation, the body of your deceased loved one will be picked up and transported to a crematorium. The cremation will occur shortly thereafter.

Direct cremation does not require embalming, make-up/hairstyling, or the purchase of an expensive casket. Skipping these things is a simple way to help keep the cost of final arrangements down. In almost all cases, direct cremation is the most affordable option after a person dies.

Skip the Embalming

Embalming is a process that temporarily preserves a deceased body, but it is not required. If you are able to plan a funeral that will occur shortly after death, you may be able to opt to have the body refrigerated at the funeral home instead of having the body embalmed.

The price of embalming can be several hundred dollars since it is a very involved process that is done by highly experienced professionals. Having the body refrigerated for a short period of time still makes it possible to have a public viewing and open-casket funeral service, if you wish.

Don’t Let Grief Drive Your Decisions

There is nothing wrong with doing your best to save money when making the final arrangements for a loved one. This is especially true if you are financially unable to pay for the final arrangements without taking on debt. It is perfectly okay to purchase a budget or mid-level casket or urn if that is what you can afford. Doing so does not dishonor your deceased loved one.

When you’re in need of the services of funeral homes in Columbia TN, it is possible to save money. If you are interested in direct cremation, please contact the Tennessee Cremation Society at (615) 302-4842. The Tennessee Cremation Society offers several direct cremation packages that will suit your needs while also fitting your budget.