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One of the most common ways to cover funeral costs is to make arrangements to pay some or all of the costs ahead of time. It's a good idea to prepay for at least some of the services, because you can save money this way — paying today's prices instead of higher costs after years or decades of inflation. You will also be helping out your loved ones, who won't need to try to determine what you would've wanted or figure out how to pay for it, since it will already be taken care of.
Potential Problems to Prepare For
It's hard enough to know how to make funeral arrangements for yourself. But now add the considerations you'll need to make for your friends and family's feelings and that's where things can get a bit tricky. You'll definitely want to discuss your wishes with your spouse or other family members or friends who are close to you.
The reason is that you'll want everyone on board with the plans you've made. Remember: they have needs and wants too, at the time of your funeral. You definitely won't want your plans to make them feel estranged, uncomfortable, or burdened. Ideally, you want to plan a funeral that's meaningful to everyone.
That brings us to the last question: how will you let people know about your wishes? That's an important question, because loved ones need to know what you're already decided or arranged. Otherwise your wishes may not be fulfilled. Some people make the mistake of putting their plan in a safe deposit box, but it can take weeks - even months - for your family members to get access to your safe deposit box. That's too late.
A good answer here is to keep your funeral plan with a vested third party such as a funeral director or a planning specialist at MemorialPlanning.com. If you're planning your own funeral, we offer all kinds of helpful resources. We invite you to learn more about the various types of burials, search for cemeteries by state, or download a free burial planning guide.