Whether you are on a strict budget or not, chances are you will at least pay attention to finances when it comes to planning a funeral. The costs can add up. But they don’t have to be particularly prohibitive. There are a range of options for all families, regardless of how much money they are working with and regardless of the extent to which life insurance will cover some of those costs. If you or someone you know is looking for funeral homes in or near Southport, IN, rest assured that there are dignified and affordable options in your area. Whatever the costs, the important thing is that you remember your loved one in a proper fashion. There are generally a few ways to do so, whether you opt for a traditional burial or cremation. Doing this the right way is likely to cost some money. But it doesn’t have to be extremely pricey. Again, there are options.

When examining the cost of making funeral arrangements, the first thing you should do is think about the various kinds of expenses you expect to encounter. Speaking with a funeral director can be very helpful when it comes to getting a better sense of these expenses. One of the more obvious expenses for many is a casket (though those preferring cremation will only need obtain a temporary container that is used during the cremation itself—in addition to an urn or more permanent container). Caskets can be pricey. But not all of them are.

As Kiplinger explains, “You're not looking forward to spending time in a casket showroom, but this is where a lot of your money will be spent or saved. An 18-gauge-steel casket, a common choice, costs an average of about $2,300. A 20-gauge casket, which is lighter weight, sells for a lot less. Because markups of 300% over the wholesale price aren't uncommon, it pays to look around a bit.”

There are certainly other expenses for which you will need to account, though—including a professional service fee that can easily run you a couple of thousand dollars or more. If you plan on holding a funeral service, remember that the body will likely need to be prepared or embalmed and then transported to and from the service. If you decide to bury the body or cremated remains, this will generally cost you a fair amount of money, as well. The advantage is that there will always be a place where friends and family can come and pay their respects. But yes, the land itself will cost some money.

There are certainly budget-friendly options, particularly when it comes to direct cremation, preferring a casual memorial service to a full-on funeral and perhaps opting for something economical when it comes to cremated remains. These are still dignified options, and many do an excellent job of remembering a loved one effectively.

If you are looking into funeral homes in the Southport, IN, area, please consider reaching out to O’Riley - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. We have a proud history of working with families like yours to assure the most viable and appropriate outcome when it comes to your needs. You can visit us at 6107 S East St, Indianapolis, IN 46227 or place a phone call to (317) 787-8224.