Tips and Guidelines to Saving Money on a Funeral

Arranging a funeral for a loved one is not cheap. In fact it is one of the most expensive expenditures people would have to make. This is why getting the best deal in every aspect of the funeral arrangement is very important. These tips can help save hundreds of dollars without compromising the quality of funeral services you receive.

* A cremation casket can be used for the burial and often costs less. Funeral director can't limit its use to cremation only.

* Most funeral homes expect payments for provided services upon the completion of all funeral arrangements. This means customers are required to pay for everything when they've made all funeral plans before the services are rendered. Acceptable modes of payment in most funeral homes are as follow: Life Insurance, Funded Pre-Need Contract, Cash or Check, Payment Plants, Credit Cards.

* Having a viewing or wake the same day as the burial or interment will cut down the cost. You are paying on a per-hour basis, so if you have the wake the night before the interment and then the interment the next day, you'll be expected to pay for the extra time.

* Many funeral homes will require embalming the body of the deceased if you intend to have a visitation or viewing. But embalming is generally not required by law if the body is cremated or buried shortly after death. Eliminating this process will save you hundreds of dollars.

* Refrigeration is a less expensive option for storing a body when there's a delay in making important funeral arrangements or while waiting for the funeral service.

* If the body has to be transported via airplane, it is important to appoint the destination funeral home as the primary coordinator. They will arrange the travel with the funeral home in the region of origin, and you can be spared from paying the "retail cost" for the 2 funeral homes for their services.

* Save all of the receipts you receive for food, planning, professional help, transportation, etc. This will help cut down the inheritance tax exposure.

* The cemetery, not the law, will dictate the need for burial containers to prevent the ground from sinking. If the cemetery requires a burial container, choose a "grave liner" instead of a "burial vault." It is less expensive but equally effective.

* If you need more help in arranging a funeral for someone, consider the services of a certified funeral director. Visit funeral care wa to learn more about affordable funeral options and to meet a reliable funeral director in Perth.