Sadly, our family has experienced several funerals this past year. The first one caught us off guard. We found out a bit too late that we had over paid, big time. I am going to share with you some things we learned, in hopes that it will prevent others from over paying.
Don't purchase anything from the funeral home that you can buy elsewhere because they mark up the prices.
Funerals are expensive. Cremations are less expensive but many people do not wish this. I would just like to remind everyone that if you or your spouse have ever served in the Armed Forces, you may be buried in a national or state Veteran's cemetery.
If your using cremation and want to have a viewing, many funeral homes will rent a casket at a reduced price.
After my husband passed away and was cremated, I wanted to have some of the ashes put in very small containers to give to his mom, his brother, his son, and his daughter.
Are there any programs that help with funeral/cremation. Parents killed in house fire, children survived on 10/15/2023 on Carlos Road in Williamsburg, IN. Just found out I was executor of their mother (my half sister's) will. There is insurance for the home, however both parents were disabled and no funds for anything else.
Have reached out to Red Cross.
First of all, may I offer my heartfelt sympathy to you on your loss. Can you ask the funeral home for a plan for your loved ones? Sometimes you can get help from Social Security, especially since they were disabled and may already have been receiving assistance from Social Security. Contact your local SS agency for directions for the forms you need to fill out. Then check with your state for help in cremation assistance. You may also want to look into their various disabilities and see if there's help there, for example the Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma society offers cash assistance. It will vary with the exact disease they suffered from, but there is help out there.
I hope that I've offered some help to you. If all else fails, there's always putting their story on the internet and asking for assistance from the good hearts of strangers in your hour of need. Good luck and many prayers for your pain.
A lot of people would be adverse to this, but my husband and I have donated our bodies to science. I have always thought if just one medical cure could come from the use of my body, then the sacrifice is worth the effort.
Costco sells caskets at a fraction of the cost. This is a very difficult time and prior knowledge could help cut on funeral expenses. Go to their web site and you will find Funeral at the top between Entertainment and Furniture and Decor