Health insurance, car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, taxes, IRAs, 401ks. The amount of things we have to save for and spend our money on seems exorbitant. However, there is one more expense you should consider, one that will help your loved ones when you can no longer. Preplanned funeral arrangements is a new option that allows you to set aside money and make your wishes known for that dismal day when you have to part ways with those you love. Don’t leave your spouse and children with over $5,000 in expenses and confused as to “what you would have wanted.” Make your wishes clear to ensure that they’re only mourning you - and not their finances.

The casket can be the most expensive part of the traditional family funeral. Loved ones feel especially torn when selecting an appropriate burial container. They wonder if you would have wanted pine or mahogany, they wonder if people will think they are cheap. The truth is, after the funeral, no one will ever see your casket again! Therefore, you may want to look into renting a casket and selecting a less expensive burial container.

If your family is low-key and doesn’t care much for appearances, then a simple casket made of plastic or pine will be just fine. You can also choose from fiberglass, wood, plastic or metal, and you can even find them online! If you do purchase your casket online, then be aware that federal regulations state that funeral homes cannot charge you extra for supplying your own casket.

Instead, you may choose the direct cremation option (which runs from $300 - $600). If direct cremation sounds appropriate to you, then you’ll only pay for the funeral director’s consultation, a non-metal body container, hearse fees for crematorium transport, and an urn or container for the ashes. Some Christians desire burial of the ashes, in which case you’ll need to buy a grave site, marker and hardier container. Even so, this option is generally cheaper, though it doesn’t allow people that elaborate face-to-face mourning.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 at 6:33 pm and is filed under News & Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.