Planning a heartfelt funeral without going broke - AZ Big Media
Dec 10, 2018S. is $7,360, though in Arizona that median drops to $6,681.Maybe you’re on a tight budget. Or you’re just looking to plan a funeral that’s heartfelt and tasteful but doesn’t break the bank. Either way, these costs can cause some major sticker shock.Many people dream of making funeral arrangements that are an appropriate tribute to their love for the deceased. With that kind of thinking, it can be easy to fall into the trap of overspending on the service and all of the possible add-ons.Luckily, planning a beautiful service doesn’t actually require a large investment.Keep reading to learn how to plan a funeral that is memorable and heartfelt, but won’t leave you struggling with debt.Start with a BudgetBefore you ever start making funeral arrangements, it’s important to set a budget. Otherwise, you may dive right in and begin making costly decisions right from the start.Costs will add up faster than you’d expect, and you’ll be left with little to finish your arrangements.Start by figuring out how much total you are able to spend. Don’t stretch to the limits of your finances.Unexpected costs may pop up during the planning process. If your finances are already maxed out, you’ll be left with nothing to cover these emergency costs.Once you’ve set your total budget, start considering how much you plan to allocate to each part of the service. This will require you to do some research on the average cost of things like burial plots, cremation, and funeral services in your area.These budget guidelines may change during the planning process. But they will help guide you as you begin making decisions.Consider Cost-Saving AlternativesIf you start creating your budget and you’re worried that it’s too low to cover the entire funeral service and burial, it’s time to consider cost-saving options.For instance, cremation is a less expensive option than a burial.Caskets can cost $2,000 or more. ...