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Lower Funeral Costs

The average cost of a funeral in Canada is in the realm of $8000-$10,000 and those costs don’t necessarily include the casket and other fees. Funeral costs can amount to many tens of thousands of dollars, but they don’t have to. There are a few methods you can use to lower funeral costs, no matter who the funeral is for:

How To Lower Funeral Costs

1. Pre-Plan: There are a lot of advantages to pre-planning a funeral but one of the greatest of them all is it gives you the ability to spend money on the ceremony when you have the money. Another advantage to pre-planning is that you may be able to secure better rates with the funeral home. What’s more, pre-planning allows you to have a great degree of control over the expenses so family members don’t have to sort out the details of a funeral during a stressful time.
2. Consider Creamation: More people are choosing cremation. There are few different reasons one might opt for cremation. Spiritual and cultural beliefs can lead people towards cremation. Ceremonies in which ashes are scattered or where the urn is put in a sacred place are becoming more commonplace. Cremation is much less expensive than a traditional burial, in part because there’s no need for a casket, and in part because there’s no need for embalming or burial. Cremation also reduces the amount of space being used for cemeteries.
3. Shop Around: A sense of urgency comes over many when their loved ones pass and that sense of urgency might come with feeling the need to choose a funeral home and all of the memorial options right away. Not so. Never hesitate to look around the market for the best rates. What’s more, you can always shop around for caskets, flowers, or any other details required for the funeral service. A person is never obligated to buy a package deal and can source many of the necessary items from independent suppliers.
4. Spend Less on Flowers: They are nice and pretty but the costs of flowers can add up quick. You don't always have to go with the recommendation flower arrangment. Some people go with no flowers at all. Instead you can always place photos of your loved one knowing that some people may send flowers.
5. Keep the Funeral Close: Travel can be an important funerary cost and the closer the ceremony is to friends and family, the easier it can be. Having a gathering place near you can help more people come to the service. Should you opt for cremation, the remains can later be transported, though you need permission if you’re bringing them across borders. By having the ceremony in one place, then transporting the remains to an important location afterwards, you can honour the wishes of your loved one while keeping the ceremony close to home.
6. Skip the Embalming: It can cost quite a bit for embalming, and if you're on a budget then this may be an option. You may need it if you plan on having a viewing however that is not always the case.

Save Money on Your Funeral

There are alot of ways you can save money on your funeral. You may be offered to seal the casket or purchase a gasket for it. This is used to protect the body from the elements and if you're on a budget you may be able to skip this. However it's best first to consult with your local funeral home director.