10 Ways to Save on Funeral Costs

Flowers can also be a big expense, Meekhof says. One way to save is to repurpose flowers that your loved ones receive from friends and family as condolences. “Many people will send flowers, which can be displayed around the casket,” she suggests. Opting for blooms that are in season can also help reduce costs.

2. Compare funeral homes

Take the time to visit several funeral homes to see their facilities in person and learn more about their services and fees. This is what Ray did when planning his funeral. 

“I compared local funeral homes and found price differences of thousands for the exact same services,” he says. He learned that some vendors tack on extras that he didn’t feel he needed, like limousine transportation for the immediate family.

When meeting with a funeral director, request an itemized price list. “By law, funeral homes must provide a detailed list of their services and costs,” says Suzanne O'Brien, a hospice nurse, death doula and author of The Good Death: Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life.

This kind of detailed price information can help you make a more informed decision, says Jennifer Muldowney, founder of Muldowney Memorials, a funeral and memorial planning company headquartered in New York City. “I always encourage families to educate themselves,” she says. “It’s a powerful first step in creating a meaningful, affordable farewell.”

Don’t hesitate to negotiate — prices often aren’t set in stone. “Many funeral homes are open to customizing packages to suit your budget,” O’Brien says.

3. Look into prepaying

Paying funeral expenses in advance could help you save money. 

“In most states, you don’t give your money to the funeral home, you buy an insurance policy that pays the funeral home for the arrangements you make,” says Rubin. In exchange, the funeral home locks in the current prices on costs it control, such as the use of its facilities for visitations and services and buying caskets or urns through the home. 

“Just make sure the policy is transferable to another funeral home should you move to another market or the funeral home is bought or goes out of business,” advises Rubin.

Purchasing a burial plot ahead of time might be a good idea, too. “Like funerals, prices for cemetery plots tend to increase over time,” says O’Brien. Buying a plot now also allows you to secure your preferred location in the cemetery.

4. Consider a simpler service

A full service at a funeral home followed by a graveside service isn’t your only option. “Direct cremation or direct burial skips costly services like embalming and large venues,” says Ball.

“I opted for a direct burial with a small memorial gathering at our church,” says Ray. “It cut out viewing and embalming fees, which saved me over $3,000.”

You could also consider a green burial, that aims to minimize environmental impact while honoring the deceased in a natural way. Green burial may involve practices like forgoing embalming, using biodegradable caskets or urns, and using GPS units or non-native stones to mark grave sites in lieu of headstones.

5. Look at direct-to-consumer funeral products

Funeral homes sell caskets, urns and other products, often at a mark-up. You can purchase many of these items directly from certain retailers, even Costco and Amazon. 

Another money-saving hack: O’Brien suggests buying a headstone directly from a monument manufacturer, which she says can be less expensive than purchasing one through a funeral home.

6. Plan your payment method

There are a number of ways you can pay for a funeral. One option is to set up a funeral savings account. 

“Rather than prepaid funeral plans, which can have fees or limitations, many people opt for a payable-on-death account,” says Ball. “It lets survivors access funds quickly and skips probate.” 

To set up such a POD account, ask your bank or financial institution for a beneficiary designation form. Complete the form by naming the person or entity you'd like to receive the funds after your death and return it to the bank.

Some life insurance policies, including preneed and certain whole life policies, have built-in funeral funds or options to help cover expenses. Renee Fry’s parents obtained life insurance policies to help pay for their funeral expenses. 

“The best part is that you don't have to wait for official documents, which can take weeks,” says Fry, of Quincy, Massachusetts, who heads a company that provides digital solutions for estate planning. “The funeral director was able to let [the insurance company] know to pay our dad's policy asap.”

Ray took out a small burial insurance policy to help pay for his funeral. “It’s affordable and pays out quickly, so no one has to wait or go into debt,” he says. “I pay monthly, and it’s locked in for life.”

7. Choose an alternative venue

Hosting a funeral at your home rather than a funeral home "can substantially cut costs,” says O’Brien. Home funerals are becoming increasingly popular and can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, depending on what types of services you choose, she says.

“As a memorial planner, I’ve helped families host ceremonies in their back gardens, on yachts, and in their local bars, hotels and theaters — places rich with memory and meaning,” says Muldowney. This can not only save money but can also create a deeply personal experience for surviving family and loved ones, she adds.

8. Look into veterans benefits

Are you a former service member? You may be eligible for certain funeral planning discounts. “Veterans burial benefits include free burial in a national cemetery, a gravestone or marker, and more,” says O’Brien. 

Spouses and other certain family members may also qualify. Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website for details.

9. Consider something less formal

Some people ask loved ones to forgo a funeral service in favor of a less formal memorial gathering, such as sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant or a potluck at someone’s home. 

“Choosing a memorial over a traditional funeral allows for flexibility in timing, tone and budget,” says Muldowney. “It gives space to create something truly unique and reflective of the person’s life, without the immediate financial or logistical pressure that often comes with funerals.”

​​Chris Heerlein, chief executive officer at Austin, Texas-based investment firm REAP Financial, remembers a client who arranged for a “living memorial,” gathering friends and family for a celebration while the person was alive. “This approach allowed them to spend meaningful time with loved ones while easing future financial burdens,” he says.

10. Communicate your wishes to your loved ones

“It’s not enough to make a plan — you have to share it,” says Muldowney. She advises clients to keep their end-of-life instructions in a secure but accessible place and let loved ones know the location, or to share their end-of-life planning documents with an estate attorney who will provide the information to survivors upon their death. 

“Clearly outline your wishes for the service, burial or cremation,” O'Brien says. “Choosing ahead avoids unnecessary add-ons that don’t reflect your desires.”