Planning a New Hampshire Funeral on a Budget

New Hampshire funeral homes have plenty of advice for those planning a funeral on a budget. In fact, planning a funeral at all can be both emotionally and financially trying. And for most of us not keen to dwell to deeply on this issue, the costs when they arise can be quite a shock. According to New Hampshire funeral homes, it’s imperative to create well in advance what they call a funeral budget. A New Hampshire funeral home representative states that knowing you have the financial resources to pay for a funeral, expected or unexpected, can alleviate half the tension and problems families feel when faced with a funeral to plan. With the ever increasing costs of funeral and associated expenditure that comes with burials, like planning a memorial service, organizing catering, a limousine, flowers and music, and renting or purchasing a casket, more and more families according to the New Hampshire funeral homes are considering alternative ways to cut costs.

Funeral homes in New Hampshire suggest that you can organize a memorable funeral without breaking the bank to do so.

1. Forgo embalming: According to funeral home experts, embalming is not required by law contrary to what most people believe. If you do plan to have a public viewing, you will need to embalm the body. It’s possible to skip this step and have a closed casket ceremony immediately following the person’s death.

2. Considering cremation as an alternative: New Hampshire area funeral homes can arrange for cremation as a lower cost alternative to burial. In fact, more and more people are going in for these options, and it’s not only for budgetary reasons. A cremation will still allow you to have a wake and memorial service and you can spend the extra money you save to remember the deceased in a special way. Most New Hampshire regional funeral homes will have suggestions on how and where to bury the ashes if that’s your desire.

3. Buying a casket: You would think that renting a casket is a cheaper solution to buying one. Most funeral homes can arrange for you to both buy and rent a casket. A New Hampshire funeral home representative says renting a casket, usually an outer shell in which a plain cardboard box is laid, is an ideal solution for a cremation. However, often you’ll find that buying a plain casket is a cheaper solution. Speak to your funeral home’s representative before making a decision. If you decide to buy a casket outside, speak to the director of the funeral home you’ll be using. If they sell their own caskets, they just may be able to meet or even beat the price.

4. Skipping the usual ‘must have’s: According to a New Hampshire funeral home representative, most people believe that a funeral would be incomplete without a big showy limousine to take the mourners to the cemetery, or musicians to play during the service. Funeral homes found in New Hampshire can tell you that the amount grievers splurge on funeral accessories can be higher than what most people are comfortable spending. And tensions can be built around it, the New Hampshire funeral home representative adds – who gets to travel in one? Who needs to stay back when its time for the limousine to depart. What kind of music will be played. How many bouquets of lilies need to be ordered etc. So why do it? Funeral homes suggest you can cut back on the accessories and still show your respect to the deceased by organizing a simple funeral service with meaningful touches such as a poem being read out or a single piece of music being played.

The most important point to remember, advises a representative from a New Hampshire funeral home, is never to make an impulse decision. Even if the funeral has been planned in a hurry, take the time to sit down and figure out some numbers. Another factor to keep in mind is that priorities are important when planning a funeral, and listing them down will help you stay on track with regards to your budget.

Once you have created a plan and determined how much you can or cannot spend, meet with a representative of your selected New Hampshire funeral home. Sit down with him and go through your budget and what you’d like to see happen. If you are responsible for paying the funeral bills, it might also be a good idea to sit down with the rest of the family and come up with ideas as to how you can reduce costs.

Most funeral homes in New England will help you stay on track with your budget. Yet, at times you may feel backed into the corner when it comes to certain decisions which need to be made. When you are grieving, you can find it hard to be confrontational. And you shouldn’t have to. Speak to you local funeral homes representative and explain why it’s imperative to stick to a budget. Work out a plan which will allow you to maximize your funeral service at a minimum cost thanks to your local New Hampshire funeral home.

Remember, we are here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.