Funeral Planning on a Budget

Making Arrangements

Planning a funeral can be very stressful, and will wear you down mentally. It really relieves the stress if you are prepared, it sure helps to have a plan in place. If you find yourself overwhelmed with grief, sometimes it helps to have someone help you with critial decisions.

First, consult the will of the deceased to learn of any prior arrangements that they may have in place such as; cemetery plots, vault, mausoleum, crypt or cremation. Find out if there have already been prior arrangements for the services.

Next, be sure to notify family members, friends, and out of state relatives. Don't forget to inform an employer or fellow employees. It is always a good idea to notify the family doctor to make sure that any prescriptions can be cancelled. And lastly, you will have to inform the church where the service will be and the insurance company. Sometimes the funeral director will help you make the call to the insurance company and provide you with the documents needed.

Funeral Checklist

•

Shop around for a funeral director

•

Arrange a meeting with a funeral director

•

Choose a location for service, church, clergy

•

Determine a date and time for service

•

Choose the type of service: traditional, military

•

Choose a casket or cremation urn

•

Choose a burial container, mausoleum, or crypt

•

Choose flowers

•

Choose music

•

Choose funeral car arrangements

•

Decide on clothing for the deceased

•

Choose pallbearers

There Are Ways To Save Money

These are real trying times in our society right now. By saving money on funeral services does not cheapen the event. You just might be surprised at the way people notice the personal touches instead. Toledo Plots would also like to help you find the perfect cemetery plot. We have many people that have pre-owned cemetery plots, crypts, vaults, and mausoleums at reduced prices. These people purchased these and for whatever reason no longer need or want them. This could help you with the final cost. Be sure to check out what is available in the Toledo Ohio area and browsing the pre-owned cemetery plots by section and price.

What Are Your Rights

A common misconception that people often have when they purchase the right of internment in a cemetery is that they have purchased the land itself, when in fact what they have really purchased is the right to be interred (also referred to as buried, entombed, enniched or placed) on or in that particular piece of property.

Funerals on a Budget

•

Don't purchase goods or services that you do not want

•

Create a free online obituary

•

Plan a green burial or choose cremation instead

•

Simplify floral arrangements, share costs with relatives

•

Candles can be used instead of flowers

•

Use a public place for service instead of funeral home

•

Those with carpentry skills can make casket

•

Dress the decease in own clothing instead of buying new

•

Skip the catering or ask relatives to help cater food

•

Limit the viewing time, maybe 1 day instead of 3 days

•

Check on dicounted limosene rates

•

Check embalming laws