The average funeral costs just shy of $7,200. For most people, this is more than a drop in the bucket. During a time of grieving, the last thing you want your loved ones to be doing is figuring out how they will pay for your funeral. There are several proactive things you can do to help lower the cost of your burial and minimize stress for your family and friends.   

Pre-Arrange

If you can, visit your funeral home of choice and invest in a pre-burial package. This service allows you to plan and pay for your entire burial upfront, absolving your family of this responsibility. Depending on the funeral home, you may be required to pay the total cost for your arrangements upfront or be able to pay overtime with a payment plan.

This option saves you money since you're locking in the price. Should the cost of a particular service feature increase in the future, your family won't be required to make up the difference.

Know What You Want

Take some time to seriously think about what types of services you want to be included within your burial. One of the easiest ways for family to overspend when planning a funeral is with emotional add-ons. No one ever wants to feel as though they are going the cheap route when burying someone they love, which leads to over-spending.

However, if you have clearly explained to your family your desires and final wishes, this is less likely to occur. In addition to having a conversation with your family, you should also put this in writing to limit any doubt.

Shop Around

If you're able to pre-plan, you also don't want to be afraid to shop around. This is especially the case when it comes to caskets. Some funeral homes will only carry a small line of casket options. Often, these options come along with features you may not be interested in that will only significantly drive up the costs.

Consider purchasing directly from a casket retailer as they will have a much greater selection and will likely also offer the option for a custom casket, which allows you to get what you want without paying for features you don't. For more information, contact local professionals like Elmwood Casket Company.

The passing of someone is already a difficult thing to process, so your efforts to work ahead won't just save money, but it also makes the process easier for those who love you.