Do Funeral Homes Offer Payment Plans?

Sometimes death comes when we least expect it, particularly if our loved one was young and healthy. Even when faced with age and illness, not everyone has a will, burial plan or money set aside to cover end-of-life expenses, including the services of a monument maker in Phillipsburg, NJ. That can be devastating for the survivors—not only because they’re grieving a death, but because they also have to figure out how to pay those costs when there’s no extra money available.

The average cost of a funeral and burial in the United States is around $10,000, whereas a direct cremation with no service runs around $1,000. No matter which option you choose, this is a significant amount of money for many Americans, especially if the death is unexpected.

What makes matters worse is that most funeral homes do not offer payment plans, preferring to be paid immediately, which compounds the problem. So how can you pay for a funeral and/or burial and cremation when there’s no money immediately available? Here are some suggestions:

• Look for life insurance and benefits: If the deceased had a life insurance policy, the benefits may cover funeral expenses. Check their personal effects and records, but also inquire with their employer if they had a policy that no one knew about. You’ll also want to verify all benefits, such as through the military, a union or other organization.
• Go with low-cost options: Funerals don’t have to be expensive to give your loved one an appropriate sendoff, and in many cases, friends and family will be happy to help by offering up homes, helping make programs, donating flowers and more. Paired with cremation, which is almost always a lower-cost option, this can be a way to save money while still giving a meaningful tribute.
• Check for state or local assistance: Many localities will offer funeral expense assistance for low-income residents. Ask your county coroner or church if they have any low-income options.
• Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding, such as through sites like GoFundMe, has become an increasingly popular way to receive assistance when disaster strikes. Different fundraising websites will have different requirements and fees, so you should research them carefully before going with one. Other people have also had success with other fundraising techniques, like bake sales and walkathons.
• Loans: Many banks offer funeral loans, which are unsecured personal loans. You will need to have good credit to obtain one of these loans.
• Donate the body to science: Finally, donating the body to science may be an option, although not all bodies will be accepted and it often needs to be arranged ahead of time. Generally, the remains will be cremated and returned to the family afterwards.

Monument maker in Phillipsburg, NJ

Phillipsburg Memorial Company has been in business since 1939, providing the Lehigh Valley area with thoughtfully created, beautiful and high-quality memorials and monuments to honor your loved ones. We understand the intimate and sensitive nature of the process and strive to help our clients find the perfect gravestone or monument to suit every person, lifestyle and budget. When you need a monument maker in Phillipsburg, NJ, call us today.

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