The Financial Side of Organizing A Funeral

When someone close to you passes away, the last thing you want to think about is money. Organizing a funeral can be a painful experience emotionally, and there are so many components to take on. Especially if you are the next of kin to the person who has passed, you will be required to organize and sign papers. This can be stressful and challenging for you and the family. However, with this helpful guide, you can begin to plan the financial side of organizing a funeral. 

A Breakdown Of Required Costs

There are many different things you have to pay for when organizing a funeral. Here is a breakdown of the required outgoings, and an approximation of the cost.

• The Funeral Home. 

The role of the funeral home varies depending on where you live and the company you use. The funeral home is the most important component of organizing a funeral ceremony; they can aid in providing the coffin and the dressing and transportation of your loved one. They can also provide you with trusted contacts for organizing the wake and other necessities for the ceremony. Funeral homes can charge quite a high fee due to the number of different services they provide - at least a few thousand dollars, if not more.

Due to the high cost of the funeral home services, you might be able to get a loan for a funeral home. This will allow you to give your loved one the sendoff they deserve, without too hard a hit on your finances. 

• Flowers and decorations.

Depending on your budget, you can commission beautiful flower arrangements and decorations for your loved one’s funeral. Most florists offer funeral services with special arrangements and packages for funerals. These vary in price depending on size, quality, and sustainability models. The flowers for a funeral can be one of the priciest expenses of all, ranging from one hundred to many thousands of dollars. 

• The venue

If you are of a specific religious faith, you will probably wish to bury or cremate your loved one in your local community’s place of worship. If not, you may wish to opt for a humanist funeral, a non-religious service that allows you to say goodbye in a way that suits your beliefs. 

A humanist funeral venue can be anything, provided you have the right permit. You can host a funeral in a garden, at a beloved park or activity center. Of course, the price of these venues can range vastly. Check out your local area and ask for a quote for a humanist funeral venue.

• The wake

Before the funeral service, comes the wake and then after, comes a celebration. This is the time to raise a glass and celebrate the life of your loved one. This will include food, drink, and venue hire - up to ten thousand dollars, depending on your budget. However, many people opt to host wakes in their homes, providing the food themselves, and relying on the community for support.