When my grandmother passed away, I was astonished to learn that I had been named the executor of her estate. After splitting up her belongings amongst my aunts and uncles, I turned my attention to planning her funeral. I didn't know where to start. Fortunately, I was able to find an excellent funeral home that understood how to help people plan beautiful memorial services. It was amazing to go through the process of planning the music, the speakers, and even the set-up of the room. This blog is all about planning gorgeous memorial services for the people that you love so that you aren't left grappling with difficult decisions.
If a loved one has recently passed away, then you may be currently dealing with the task of planning a funeral or memorial service, which is never an easy task. Of course, things can become even more complicated if you're left with paying funeral expenses without assistance; this is especially common in situations where the deceased did not carry life insurance. Even though things may be tight, this doesn't mean your loved one shouldn't be able to have a beautiful service. Specifically, there are a few options to consider to pay for the funeral.
Start a Crowdfunding Initiative
These days, there are some great crowdfunding websites online that you can use to set up a fundraising initiative. These websites allow you to explain your cause and set a goal dollar amount. From there, you and others can share your crowdfunding page on social media and other platforms, and anybody can donate as much or as little as they want towards your loved one's funeral expenses.
Use Money From an Estate
If your loved one is leaving behind an estate, you may be able to use some of the assets from the estate (assuming they're not subject to a long and drawn-out probate process) to help pay for the funeral. Of course, this is something you would need to work out with others who may have been left parts of the estate in the deceased person's will, but it is a potential option for taking some or all of the financial burden out of the process.
Ask About Employer or Union Benefits
If your loved one was employed at the time of his or her death, it can't hurt to check with his or her employer--especially if your loved one was a part of a union. Often times, unions will have funds specifically set aside for helping to pay for funerals and memorial services of their members. It's not a guarantee by any means, but it may be something worth looking into.
Consider the Option of Cremation
If your loved one didn't have a will or didn't specify a preferred option between traditional burial and cremation, you might consider talking to other loved ones about the possibility of having him or her cremated. Often times, this option is much more affordable than a traditional funeral, and it still allows you the option to have a unique memorial service for your loved one, if desired.
Share23 December 2015
