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All Articles & Guides / Funerals & Celebration of Life / What Happens When a Family Can't Afford a Funeral?

What Happens When a Family Can't Afford a Funeral?

After the unexpected loss of a loved one, the last thing on your mind will be the financial matters of a funeral. Unfortunately, the decisions associated with costs will need to be made right away. Since average funeral costs can be around $10,000, this can be a huge expense to families, which some may not be able to afford.

So, what happens if you can’t afford a funeral or need help with funeral costs? Luckily, there are options.

Who Pays for a Funeral?

Legally, the estate of the deceased is responsible for the cost of final funeral arrangements and the executor of the estate is in change of handling bills. The person who signs the contract at the funeral home is required to pay the bill. So, before you call funeral homes it’ll be important to decide what you can afford without sacrificing money for daily living expenses.

It’s important to remember that cost does not equate to how much you loved the deceased. A dignified funeral doesn’t have to cost a fortune and it doesn’t reflect how much you cared for someone.

In some cases, states offer burial assistance. This varies drastically and will need to be researched by contacting the county Social Services or Human Services.

Woman figuring out costs.

Lower Cost Ways to Pay for Funeral Expenses

Unfortunately, in the case of unexpected losses, there may not be time to pre-plan and research ways to make funerals more affordable. There are also different restrictions on a state-by-state basis but less costly options are available to all.

Here are some ways to pay for funeral expenses that can help with funeral costs:

Create a Memorial Fund

Crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe, Fund the Funeral, and EverLoved can help cover the costs of funeral expenses and memorials. Simply create an account and share details on your social media or via email to help raise awareness. You’ll be able to provide details for how expenses will be used, your goal for how much money you’d like to raise, and how close you are to raising what you need.

Organizations & Programs

If you’re part of a larger congregation or member of a church, you may want to get in touch to see if they’d be willing to help cover funeral costs for a lost loved one. They may be able to help fundraise, or provide a venue for a service. There are also government programs that are available on a state-by-state basis. If your loved one was a veteran, you may be eligible for burial assistance through Veteran’s Affairs. 

Victims of Crime

If your loved one was the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to funeral expense assistance through your state’s Crime Victim Compensation program. Each state will have different limits, so you’ll need to contact your state’s division to see if you qualify for services and read their eligibility criteria.

Home Funerals & Services – These are legal across the country although there are certain laws relating to the details of a home burial. It’ll be important to check the laws in your state before pursuing this option. Having your service at home also allows you to plan exactly how you’d like to grieve with loved ones.

Payment Plans – Some funeral homes may offer payment plans and although this may not cut down on overall costs it creates a more manageable way to pay for funeral expenses without having to come up with a large sum of money.

piggy bank with coins.

How to Save Money on a Funeral 

Embalming – Embalming is not a requirement. The process is simply fluids injected into a body to slow decomposition and preserve the body so it can be publicly displayed in an open casket funeral.

Donation – Donating your body to medical research or science is one of the least expensive and most impactful funeral options available to people.

Direct Cremation – This is the most popular alternative to a traditional burial and is one of the most affordable options. Ashes can be kept in an urn, buried, or scattered. You can also skip a traditional memorial service and host a memorial at your home with an outdoor memorial marker.

Purchase Your Own Casket or Urn – These are often marked up by funeral homes, and they may also try to upsell you on their products. Purchasing online gives you more options, and you can even personalize urns to create a special memorial as a tribute to your loved one.

Flowers – Flowers don’t need to be expensive to be beautiful. Local florists may offer better prices than funeral homes and there are also online florists that will deliver arrangements.

Direct Burial – If you’ve already chosen against cremation it is possible to have a direct burial. This skips the process of having a formal funeral, viewing, or service. Some funeral homes may offer a graveside service at an additional cost. Keep in mind you will still need to pay for a burial plot. At some cemeteries, you may be able to opt for a green burial in a biodegradable casket which is more environmentally friendly.

There is a multitude of ways to help cut down the costs of saying goodbye to a loved one. If you find yourself in a difficult position, remember that cost doesn’t reflect on how much you cared, and make the right financial decision for your case.

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