money saving funerals

mo1_2

i dont want to depress everyone but is there a thread on money saving funerals?

Savvy_Sue

If there is, I don't know of it.

There is along 'what to do when someone dies' thread here.

Is there some specific help you need now, or is this just forward planning?

Newly_retired

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/help_for_people_on_a_low_income_-_the_social_fund.htm#funeral_payments
This may help some people on a low income.

slopemaster

I'd be interested too, if there was a thread on that!
I'm sort of thinking woodland burial, wicker coffin sort of thing - planning ahead just in case, to save others having to make all the decisions.
Its much easier to ask about costs when its for yourself, than for someone who's died.

margaretclare

slopemaster wrote: »

I'd be interested too, if there was a thread on that!
I'm sort of thinking woodland burial, wicker coffin sort of thing - planning ahead just in case, to save others having to make all the decisions.
It's much easier to ask about costs when it's for yourself, than for someone who's died.

2 years ago I got a quote for £2,500 from a local family-run funeral director and this was where we wanted to be: http://www.opticimage.com/thornmead/history.htm

Fortunately it wasn't needed at the time - DH recovered, against all the odds. However, we've printed all this stuff out and left it with our copy wills, insurance policies etc in a fireproof box against the time it will be needed.

scotsbob

These are the fees for a crematorium I was at recently.

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/content/atoz/services/crem?s=0&a=0

You will see that for a midweek cremation with religious service and ashes scattered in the grounds costs £679 and that excludes coffin and undertaker fees.

The cheapest undertaker I could find is this one and that is £1430 for a basic cremation.


http://www.cremationservices.co.uk/disbursements.html

Slopemaster, who posted above, has got the cheapest method if the family are prepared to do it themselves. Buy a wicker coffin, place the body in and bury it.

What you have to remember is that funerals are not for the deceased, they are a means of coping with grief by the living. The deceased may want cheap and cheerful but the relatives may want to express their grief differently. That, for them, may mean flowers, limousines, etc etc.

slopemaster

scotsbob wrote: »

What you have to remember is that funerals are not for the deceased, they are a means of coping with grief by the living. The deceased may want cheap and cheerful but the relatives may want to express their grief differently. That, for them, may mean flowers, limousines, etc etc.

absolutely true - when my brother-in-law died, we wanted to organise a full requiem mass.
BUT, i think it makes a big difference if the survivors know 'It's what he/she would have wanted'

Errata

slopemaster wrote: »

absolutely true - when my brother-in-law died, we wanted to organise a full requiem mass.
BUT, i think it makes a big difference if the survivors know 'It's what he/she would have wanted'

What needs to be remembered is that the NOK or Executor(s) can legally choose to ignore the departed's funeral wishes .

meg72

scotsbob wrote: »

These are the fees for a crematorium I was at recently.

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/content/atoz/services/crem?s=0&a=0

You will see that for a midweek cremation with religious service and ashes scattered in the grounds costs £679 and that excludes coffin and undertaker fees.

The cheapest undertaker I could find is this one and that is £1430 for a basic cremation.


http://www.cremationservices.co.uk/disbursements.html

Slopemaster, who posted above, has got the cheapest method if the family are prepared to do it themselves. Buy a wicker coffin, place the body in and bury it.

What you have to remember is that funerals are not for the deceased, they are a means of coping with grief by the living. The deceased may want cheap and cheerful but the relatives may want to express their grief differently. That, for them, may mean flowers, limousines, etc etc.

So sorry but have to disagree. funerals are for the deceased Its our last and final act to show love and respect for the person and their last wishes should be carried out. It seems to me so wrong to disregard their wishes, its like saying sod you you are not here anymore so I will do want I want to do.

If someone has taken the trouble to make their own arrangemens, make their wishes known to family. then I think thats what should be done. There are many ways that people can express grief differently if that is what they want to do. Have a memorial service,
hold a candlelit vigil, send up sky lanterns but please respect their last wish.

Errata

If someone has made their own funeral arrangements and paid for them in advance - fair enough, there's no reason for them not to take place.
However, if someone wants a horse drawn hearse, cremation and ashes scattered on Mount Olympus the amount of money available to do this will dictate if their wishes can be followed or not.

meg72

Errata wrote: »

If someone has made their own funeral arrangements and paid for them in advance - fair enough, there's no reason for them not to take place.
However, if someone wants a horse drawn hearse, cremation and ashes scattered on Mount Olympus the amount of money available to do this will dictate if their wishes can be followed or not.

Absolutely true but I have never known anyone to do this. Expect
family to fund an expensive funeral whilst leaving no funds I mean.