One: If you have a funeral plan, talk with family and close friends to let them know of your plan.  Do not lock a detailed funeral plan away in a safe deposit box that friends and family will have difficulty accessing.

Two: Do not leave all of the decisions to the funeral director. It is often difficult to make funeral decisions during emotional stress and most funeral directors are honest people. Funeral homes are businesses, their purpose is to make a profit. Leaving the decisions to a funeral home director is nothing short of writing a blank check

Three: Try to make logical decisions. Family and friends often make funeral decisions with guilt and fear in the back of their mind. They may fear that the funeral may be perceived as cheap unless the most expensive options are chosen.

Four: Only buy what you want. Most funeral homes offer packaged deals;  However they are required to sell services/items individually. Ask for a General Price List to see itemized pricing.

Five: Price shop by phone. Funeral homes are required to provide pricing over the phone without requiring your name, phone number, or address. Many people assume that prices will be the same for any funeral home in their area. You can save thousands by shopping around.

Six: The service can be held without the body. Holding the service without the body can provide more time to plan and the decision can be a substantial savings.

Seven: Most states do not require you to use a funeral home. Religious and/or family organizations are popular alternatives to funeral homes

Eight: Grave liners or vaults are not required by law, however some cemeteries may require them. Grave liners are typically cheaper than coffin vaults. Neither liners nor vaults will preserve the body perpetually.

Nine: Caskets are not required for cremation, you can request an “alternate container”.

Ten: You do not have to purchase the urn or casket from the funeral home and the funeral home cannot refuse a casket or urn purchased elsewhere.