Smart Ways To Cover Your Funeral Home and Cremation Costs

By: Jared Curry
Monday, September 17, 2018

While it might not feel good to think about, one day you will die, and somehow your family will have to pay for your funeral home or cremation services in Irvington, NJ. Funerals, on average, cost $8,500. Just like any other large expense, you should come up with a plan to pay for it.  

Most people assume they can just set money aside in the will for the funeral, but that generally doesn’t do the trick as estates and will have to go through probates that could last up to a year. It’s important to come up with other ways to cover your funeral costs, such as the following.  

Insurance 

 

Most life insurance policies will pay out a lump sum of money to a beneficiary when you die. This lump sum can go a long way towards paying for your funeral or memorial service. These insurance payments are made almost directly after death so your loved ones can pay for the funeral right away. There are also special insurance policies for death related costs like burials, funerals, cremations and more.  

Payable-on-Death Account 

 

Payable-on-death accounts, or PODs, allow you to set money aside specifically for funeral and other death-related expenses. Your beneficiaries simply have to present a death certificate to the bank in order to obtain the money. They will not have access to the money until after your death.  

Veterans Benefits 

 

If you served in the military you may be eligible for veterans benefits, including burial and funeral at no cost. The Veterans Administration will pay a burial allowance to your loved ones to cover funeral expenses. Check the VA website to see if you’re eligible.  

Borrowing 

 

Banks also offer loans specifically for funeral expenses. However, as these loans are personal and unsecure, they can get expensive. Interests range usually from 16 to 35 percent on these kinds of loans. Since the FCA recommends that you do not go into debt for a funeral, be sure to only take out a loan you can easily pay back.  

Low-Cost Options 

 

If you don’t have money to set aside right now, and feel like you won’t later on either, you can plan for low-cost funeral options. From direct cremations and at-home funerals to green burials, or even donating your body to science, there are definitely low-cost options out there. If you do plan to donate you body to a medical school or other institution be sure to enroll in advance.  

 

Prepay at Funeral Home 

Most funeral homes sell prepaid plans. You can purchase one to make sure everything is completely taken care of before you die.  

If you want to learn more about paying for funerals or about Irvington, NJ funeral homes and cremations in general, contact Plinton Curry Funeral Home. We offer a range of funeral and cremation services and would be happy to offer any assistance we can. Stop by 411 W Broad St Westfield, NJ 07090 or call (908) 232-6869 for more information.  

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