Business of Death

The Frugal Yankee hopefully makes smart financial decisions. There are many people and companies out there who love nothing better than taking your hard earned money out of your pockets and put it in theirs. Knowledge and preparation are the keys to avoiding this misstep.

Sadly, I had to use these principles last week and it saved my family money. It's sad because my oldest brother died. He had prepared and was quite specific on how he was to be buried, but there was one element he had not prepared for - the funeral home. 

Where he lived, the state mandated a funeral home must take possession of the body, hold it for 48 hours, get the medical examiner to sign off before processing the deceased. 

My brother's family was understandably upset and reeling from the shock. I was asked to help. After confirming those pre-planned elements for my brother's funeral, I called possible funeral homes. Three phone calls and a couple of conversations later, the simple exercise of picking the body up and delivering it to the crematorium ranged in price to just south of $3000 to $800. 

If we had simply gone with the first estimate, my brother's family would have over spent by nearly $2200. In percentage terms, well, you can do the math. This may not be a lot to some folks, but it's significant in my estimation.

This reminded me there are some basic funeral tips we can all share.

Talk About It

Grieving families are easy prey for profit driven businesses. Be sure to talk or even write down how you want your funeral to be. Traditional burial? Cremation? Open casket? There are a lot of questions. They all need answers. Do this ahead of time and your family will be appreciative.

Know Your State's Laws
Some states require a funeral director, but most don't. Some states will allow burial on your own property. The Frugal Yankee advises you to know what's legal and what's not in your state. Check with your Secretary of State's office. 

Be Savvy
As I just experienced, there is a wide range of prices for funeral products. Once a decision on the type of funeral you want, price it out and pre-pay. You can't imagine how much easier it makes it on your family.

Keep it Simple.
Will your survivors remember who you were or what you were buried in? Paying huge amounts of money for a fancy casket is a waste. Keep it simple is good advice.

Traditional Planning.
Bring a friend or an advisor with you when you meet with a funeral director. They can help you not avoid selling pressures. You'll save money and it will be easier on you.

Consider Cremation.
It costs a great deal less to ship cremated remains, cemetery space is cheaper or you can scatter cremains wherever you choose. There are some real advantages to cremation. Consider it.

What ever you decide, planning is essential. It will help you family once you are gone. My brother Gerry did that and although we grieved, it was easier following his wishes.

From traditional tips to savvy perspectives, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com.