According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral with a casket is $7,045. Cremation is cheaper, at an average of $1,500 to $3,000, but either option may seem expensive to people who are broke. Even though money may be scarce, there are ways to get cash to pay for Funeral And Cremation Services for a deceased loved one. Here are three options.
Government Assistance
Sometimes, federal and state government agencies will give money to survivors to pay funeral costs. For instance, the Social Security Administration gives a lump sum payment of $225 to survivors for funeral costs. The Department of Human Services in some states will give $500 to $1,000 to eligible applicants (typically those living below the poverty line). If the person belonged to the military, the government might pay for the entire funeral depending on the individual’s service status. It’s best to contact the appropriate government agency for the exact details.
Crowdsource Funeral Costs
It may not be ideal, but asking for donations from the community at large is another option for getting money to pay for funeral expenses. There are a number of websites online that allow people to set up fundraising pages where individuals can donate money to help another’s cause. Creating a page like this and drawing attention to it through social media may result in a few generous souls donating money towards the cost of the funeral.
Ask About Payment Plans
Some funeral homes allow customers to pay for the arrangements in installments. However, when those payments must be made can vary. Some companies only allow installment payments for preplanned and prepaid funerals, while others may let families pay for their loved one’s burial expenses in installments after the person has been interred. Still others may work with a bank to offer credit and loan services, but people typically need decent credit to get approved for that option. In any event, it’s a good idea to call around to different funeral homes to see if any of them offer payment plans.
Paying for Funeral And Cremation Services with no money can be challenging. Contact Evergreen Washelli for more ideas on where to find the money or how to make the funeral more affordable. You can like them on Facebook.
