January 14, 2020 8:38 am Written by

Life is Not Cheap, Even in Death

Ways to Save Money on Funeral Costs

How many times in your life have you heard the saying, “death and taxes”? It usually is in the context of that there are only two (2) things you can count on.

Regardless of your beliefs, ideologies, or spiritual concerns, the saying is somewhat true. We will get to know the “Taxman” HMRC at some point in our lives, the IRS/Internal Revenue Service if you know the United States, and at some point we all die.

As the saying goes, “no one here gets out alive”.

Which basically is stating, we are all going to die, and unfortunately in death there comes things we need to think of prior to the “big sleep”, like making a Will, estate planing, and the cost of a funeral.

Funeral costs have been creeping up over the years, and depending who you ask, and at what time, you may get a different amount as to what the cost is, but according to insurer Sunlife and their annual Cost of Dying Report, the cost for a funeral is £9,493.

This includes the cost of a Wake, headstone, and “other send-off costs”.

For many years just a basic you die and get cremated funeral was costing over £4,000.

These costs naturally vary according to region, and naturally a “full burial” is more costly then just a cremation.

While there is competition in the market of funeral parlours and funeral directors, it still is a sort of captive market, and the fact loved ones left behind are usually emotionally upset, putting a price on such matters and events can possibly be less than objective.

Even in death we all want to save money, why not if we can. And there are a few ways we can save money, not for ourselves, as we will be dead, but for those we leave behind.

Saving Money on Funeral Costs

You will find that in almost every instance or option to save money on funeral expenses it is all about thinking ahead, and planning for this inevitable day.

This is not so much saving money, but in part of planning ahead, having life insurance is a good way to displace the costs of a funeral, especially if you want to go out with a bang.

Yes, it can be a monthly expense while you are alive, but the cost of what you will pay is much cheaper than the funeral itself. In addition, you may be able to leave some money behind for family and friends, or put a few quid behind the bar.

The younger you are when you take out an insurance policy, the cheaper the premiums are. Which is sort of funny as when we are young, death is the last thing on our minds.

Shop Around and Compare: As with everything you may purchase, doing some research and shopping around can save you money. There are comparison web sites for just about everything, and you can take some time to et quotes from various funeral directors.

Pre-plan: Pre-planning your funeral, and paying for it before you die can create huge savings overall. In addition, it gives you the choice of how you wish to be sent off. While alive, you can make the decisions.

Cremation or Direct Cremation: Being cremated is much cheaper than a full burial, in some instances £5,000 or more cheaper. Direct cremation is also another and even cheaper way to be sent off.

Look at David Bowie who had a direct cremation, and he was not short of cash.

When you die, your body is “disposed of” by being cremated with no funeral or service. Your family is given your ashes to scatter or do with what they wish….hopefully not like Keith Richards and the story about his father’s ashes.

DIY: No we do not mean build a fire in the back garden as a funeral pyre and toss Great Uncle Ian on it, but having friends and family bring flowers and all from their gardens, create photo collages of the deceased, saving money on arrangements for the funeral.

This can also be extended to using your own receptacle or shopping around for a cheaper urn for the ashes.

Although an old shoe box, used back in the day for pet hamsters that have passed, may be a little too cheap.

Some have suggested donating your body to a medical school, once you are dead, they are contacted and take care of things.

This is not for everyone, and needs to be planned in advance and there can be laws and rules that apply, in addition, you may need a plan B, if the school is full on the day.

So, “death be not proud”, and it also doesn’t have to be expensive.

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