Funerals are a growth industry-as baby boomers age, the U.S. death rate is slowly creeping up, though we may not prepared in our economy to handle the expenses that the end of life brings. Not only is the death rate increasing, but funeral prices are now outpacing inflation, which is currently at 5%.

Since the average family plans a funeral only once every fifteen years, many are shocked when they learn the typical funeral now costs more than seven thousand dollars, with many funeral services topping out at a unbelievable ten thousand dollars. Rising funeral prices have become an even greater burden for a typical family already struggling with high gas and food prices.

The souring economy has made it even harder for Americans to manage the financial toll created by expensive funerals. However, thanks to a new breed of professional, more families are able to better control funeral expenses.

For many people, these new professionals have given them a much needed financial lifeline when facing one of life’s most stressful events. Enter the “funeral accountant.”

While still a relatively rare occupation, a funeral accountant is a certified public accountant that specializes in helping families reduce their funeral expenses. Working with a funeral accountant can often reduce a family’s funeral expenses by fifty percent or more, saving thousands in the process.

During this most stressful time when grief is foremost in your thoughts, the last thing you need to be worrying about is the money in your pocket, and how you are going to afford the expenses of caskets, programs, caterers, limousines, etc.

This article shares some basic tips from a well known funeral accountant who has helped many families to put on beautiful memorial events without spending irrational amounts of money. These simple strategies can be used by just about any family that wants (or needs!) to substantially lower the high cost of funeral or cremation services.

First, find out what funeral options and prices are available in your area. Spending time to familiarize yourself with local offerings allows you to compare services and prices to ensure you find just what you need at the most reasonable cost.

Do lots of research, and find out if companies are willing to price match, or be competitive in cost. Comparing prices will also give you an idea of what you’re looking to spend.

Next, you need to find out which funeral goods and services are required and which are optional. Simple ignorance causes the vast majority of families to pay for items that they not only didn’t want, but that they weren’t even required to buy.

They simply bought what the funeral director told them they “needed” to buy. Remember: many funeral directors now work on a commission basis.

The more you buy, the more they make. So funeral homes are not likely to offer you lower price options or point out items that aren’t required.

This is where your previous research and knowledge will come in handy. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to be taken advantage of-a good idea would be to talk to friends and family members who have planned funerals before, and see what they did.

Next, find out who else sells the funeral goods you might need to buy. Simply knowing of other available purchase options gives you the leverage you need to negotiate a discount from your local funeral home.

Knowing how much things should cost and where the item can be purchased at a more reasonable price can be enough to motivate your funeral director to reduce his prices to ensure he keeps the sale. There are actually quite a few things you can do to reduce and control run-away funeral costs.

This article only touched on a few of the more obvious strategies. You can find more money-saving tips and strategies online.

Remember, while remembering your loved one in an elegant way is very important, that doesn’t mean they would want you to go into debt over it. There are plenty of ways to plan an inexpensive memorial which is still beautiful.

Think about saying a few words in your loved one’s favorite spot, like in the woods or the shores of the beach, instead of paying to rent an expensive area. Little meaningful ideas like this Cialis Jelly can help you to save money and plan an unforgettable event.

Author Bio: Terry Daniels has 20 years of experience in print and graphic design and has written hundreds of articles relating to funeral planning and family relationships and funeral programs.

Contact Info:
Terry Daniels
TerryDaniels09@gmail.com
http://enduringkeepsakes.com

Category: Culture and Society/Death and Dying
Keywords: funeral programs