If your using cremation and want to have a viewing, many funeral homes will rent a casket at a reduced price.
By ellen from Bennington, VT
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A person can request to not be embalmed. They must be buried the same day. A family memorial service can then be held when everyone is able to get there. A cremation is placed in a suitable metal box except able for burial. My son was buried at the side of his grandparent with a stone set by him. You don't need a fancy urn.
Interesting that this tip on funeral expenses was posted. Let's take it a little bit further. Have you ever considered that "tradition" is not mandatory, and yes, cremation is far more cost effective? Further, a memorial service, at home, or at the home of a relative can further reduce expense.
Just the other day I asked my eldest child to review my Last Will and Testament. I have requested that my children have my body disposed of within 24-hours of my death. Why? Glad you asked that question. Choosing caskets, flowers, burial garments, churches, musicians, song selections, preacher honorarium, programs, newspaper announcements, etc. is not only time-consuming and costly, but it is sheer drudgery and pain for the relatives left behind.
Eliminate all of that and have a simple memorial service as I have requested of my children. A minister is not necessary, for if you are Christian and have lived your life right, you are Heaven-bound anyway. If you did not live an appropriate life, no amount of words a preacher can say over you will get you a pass through the pearly gates. I much prefer that my family have fond memories of me "as I was" not "as I am" as a corpse. Seeing your loved one on a slab or in a coffin does not give closure, only sad memories.
If you don't go for cremation, and do not have a burial site, there are free or nearly free grave sites in every municipality. Do your research ahead of time. Remember, it is the inevitable. Save those thousands and let the family go on a vacation in memory of you!
Given time to think on it many of us come to realize that most tradition is hogwash and almost always involves hard work and or heart break for loved ones. DH and I have asked our sons not to go through the expense of funeral and burial. Cremation at a cut rate place will be fine.
We are firm believers in flowers for the living. If you have a proper relationship with family and friends there is no need for all the flapdoodle after you are gone. And that does away with all the hypocrisy of those who barely knew the decedent showing up for a social gathering.
I am a Christian also and look forward to seeing my parents again. Granted, at 76 I hold different views from younger people but when you get close to the end you do change your mind about many things. And since this is thriftyfun.com must I remind you that funerals ain't thrifty?
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