Pre planning your funeral, cremation, and memorial service

The last thing people want to think about are funerals, cremation, and memorials. But,by pre-arranging your own funeral or cremation you can save alot of money and spare your family from having to make these decisions while they are under pressure.


Instead of a prepaid plan to the funeral home, establish a trust at a bank, just for the expenses of your planned funeral or cremation. Name the recipient that you want to be handling the funds when you pass away.


Listen carefully to the mortician's sales pitch, to be sure that you agree to only the services you really want or need for your funeral, or cremation and memorial.


Embalming is one of the most unnecessary services rendered by the industry. It isn't necessary legally, and only slows the decomposition process, and pollutes the earth.


If you are going with a traditional burial, consider a "low end" casket .(The "high end" caskets can cost up to $5000 and more!) The average mark-up on a casket can run anywhere from 300% - 500%... sames goes for cremation urns sold through funeral homes.


You can shop online for an urn or casket, and also check your local yellow pages to see if there is a discount casket and urn outlet near you.


If you are going with a traditional burial you could opt for a "GREEN" casket, they are made of easily biogradeable wood or cardboard and can be purchased online.


The Federal Trade Commission has made it illegal for funeral homes to insist that you buy their caskets or urns. AND it is illegal to be charged extra by the cemetery for using your own casket or urn.


Funeral homes will charge you as much as 3 times that actual cost for placing an obituary in the newspaper, so write it yourself and word it any way you want!


Whatever you do make sure you have everything in writing as to how you have planned your funeral or cremation and memorial.


Alot of folks these days do not want a memorial service at the funeral home. That is another huge expense that can be avoided by either not having a memorial service or by having it at your local church or even at your home.


These days, alot of folks do not want family and friends crying and feeling sad when they pass away. They want family and friends to remember the good times they had together and share those good memories with family and friends at the memorial service.
Some even would rather you have a party in honor of them and laugh and have fun.


Another large expense is if you plan to be buried at a cemetery. The cemetery plots are not cheap. If you plan to be cremated you can ask that a family member keep your urn in their home and pass it down through the generations. MANY urns today are beautiful and can just be an added piece to the home decor. Or you may plan to have family scatter your ashes at a place that you choose.


There are many ways to plan and save money! For more articles, information, and beautiful cremation urns visit - www.ashes2urns.com