Searching for cheaper alternatives when it comes to saying goodbye to our loved ones is becoming increasingly common. There is a growing awareness of the importance of simple and sustainable funerals, as well as the fact that they represent a significant saving for families. Today, Stelae will take a closer look at this new development and tell you how to organise a funeral that is cheaper than more traditional ones.
Why are people looking for cheaper funeral options?
There are several factors that explain why families look for more cost-effective options when a loved one dies. What are the reasons behind wanting to have a cheaper funeral?
- Financial resources are the main reason why many families seek to reduce the cost of funerals. A funeral involves expenses, which are often unforeseen, that not all families can afford.
- The rise in popularity of less traditional and more personalised ceremonies has led to a change in preferences. Simplicity and something more intimate are now prioritised over luxury and excess.
- Environmental protection is another reason why more and more families prefer something simpler for their loved one’s funeral. Some elements associated with traditional funerals can be harmful to the environment, depending on the materials chosen or the amount of decorative ornaments used, for example. This is why more sustainable funerals are being considered which include biodegradable materials, natural fabrics and non-toxic fluids. They are also cheaper.
As we will see below, a dignified and respectful funeral can be planned without incurring exorbitant costs. Each option is intended to ease the financial and emotional strain on family members.
More affordable funeral options
One of the main factors that determine how expensive a funeral can be is the choice of the final resting place for our loved one. A traditional burial is generally more expensive than a cremation as the costs associated with it, such as the grave, the coffin and the administrative fees, are higher.
The cheapest funeral option, therefore, is cremation, but even with this choice there are important details to be aware of if you want to save costs.
Cremation.
Cremation has become an increasingly popular option because its costs are generally lower compared to traditional burials.
Besides being more affordable, cremation offers flexibility in terms of planning memorial services and the scattering of ashes. Families can choose to have a personal ceremony before or after the cremation. They can choose to keep the ashes at home or in a columbarium. They may also wish to scatter the ashes in a special place or have them made into jewellery.
This option eliminates the need to purchase an expensive coffin, lease a cemetery plot or purchase a headstone, which all significantly reduce costs.
Direct cremation
Direct cremation is even more cost-effective and is the cheapest possible funeral option.
The cremation takes place shortly after the death of a loved one without a prior funeral service. This option is considerably less expensive, as it eliminates the expenses associated with funeral services, such as hiring a room at the funeral home, floral arrangements or the purchase of a more sophisticated coffin for the ceremony.
Direct cremation is ideal for families who want a cheaper and simpler burial. At Stelae we offer this service, with different options and prices so that families can personalise their loved one’s farewell according to their preferences and budget.
Why choose a cheaper funeral service?
Arranging a cheaper funeral for our loved one can be the best choice for many reasons:
- It reduces the financial burden on families as a traditional funeral can include costs that are often unaffordable. Avoiding this strain can also be a relief from an emotional point of view during the bereavement process.
- Your approach is more personal. A cheaper funeral focuses on what is really important when a loved one dies: a dignified and respectful farewell. It avoids unnecessary expenditure on items that are not essential when honouring the memory of our loved one.
- We fulfil our loved one’s last wishes. It is possible that the deceased may have preferred to have a cheaper and simpler funeral, avoiding excesses and luxuries. In such cases, respecting their wishes is the most important thing.
- It gives the opportunity to personalise the funeral. A cheaper funeral avoids the organisation of a funeral that may be quite restricted and instead offers the chance to have a more intimate and personalised ceremony. This will, therefore, have more meaning for those who loved the deceased.
For all these reasons, choosing a cheaper funeral such as direct cremation is becoming increasingly common among bereaved families.
