Options when there is no money for funeral

Can you specify in a will that you only want a small, inexpensive funeral?

Wouldnt arranging and paying for exactly what you want budget wise be the best option? That way they don't have to do anything.

The will would probably not be read for a long time after the death tho.

I know somebody who not only has their funeral paid for and the plot in the graveyard, but has went so far as having the headstone and surround already erected. Obviously his name and date of death to be added whenever the time comes. That's an extreme case I'll admit (totally creeped me out in the graveyard seeing a headstone with no name on it)

I would suggest you take out a life assurance policy .depending on your circumstances it can be very affordable .I know most people see life assurance as a waste of money but the piece of mind it gives might be worth the small cost to you

Not necessarily. My late Dad had a copy of his will easily accessible among his papers when he died and it outlined what kind of funeral he wanted. It was read before his funeral was arranged and his wishes followed.

The DEASP will pay for the actual funeral. The relation(s) should contact the local Welfare Officer. I believe most funeral homes will actually look after this for the family.

Found link: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/death_related_benefits/benefits_and_entitlements_following_a_death.html

My mother passed away in the summer and in covid times, it was anyway very minimal. With coffin, cremation, some lovely flowers and small church service, hire of hearse and removal from hospital and to funeral home, it cost 4.5k.

it was actually a bit less than I expected but I must say, the funeral directors really were very kind and I’m glad they could take the pressure off. It could have even been a bit cheaper again but cremations in remembrance garden and burial plots make it more expensive.

I have to say, I was really worried how we would pay for it and they did give a discount on the bill being settled within I think 60 Days, some credit unions also give cover for funeral costs, but the cheapest option was a cremation without a service or any of the above (around 2k I think) and glad we didn’t have to look at that option.

Hope it helps and wish you all the best!

No. He left it where it would be easily and quickly found.

It's not that difficult with a bit of foresight.

I am trying to be delicate here given the subject, but are your parents alive?

If not there would be room in the grave to inter the ashes. If they are still with you what arrangements have they made, and would you be ok being buried with them? Maybe your grandparents grave? I apologise if that sounds off, but it is something to think about. No costs of purchasing a grave or headstone anyway.

Talk with your bank/a financial advisor/insurance broker about taking out a small $20k policy to pay for funeral expenses. Should not be too expensive maybe $10/20 per month???? They will be used to getting requests like this, it is a pretty standard policy tbh

You seem to be overly concerned about what your sister thinks and will want. You need to decide for yourself what happens, be that your body goes to research or you have a funeral that you can save towards now. If you decide on a funeral, start a savings account, write/type up your wishes, and tell your sister where the information is filed, so its easily accessible to her if/when you die before her. If you decide to donate your body then do the paperwork and tell your sister after its all sorted.

My father has his plot in the graveyard ready, no headstone but has the surround and stone on it etc. Sometimes he'd be out tending to his own father's grave and he'd say, "right, time to go and clean my own grave" and he'd head across to his own, pull weeds and pick up leaves, give the surround a wash etc. It's kind of amusing.

You may be over thinking the whole thing. There is a 50/50 chance you may outlive your sister so take this fact into consideration when making your will, funeral arrangments etc. Start saving a little every week and have this specific account set up so that your next of kin have easy access to the funds when the time comes. The Dept. of Social Welfare will pay a least €2,000.00 grant towards your funeral expenses if your next of kin are not in a financial position to pay - that's a great help so if you have say €4,000.00 saved you have nothing to worry about. To save some euros you can leave some specific instructions like no hired in musicians at mass, use CD's instead, no 'afters' at the local hotel / pub, no expensive headstone, go for the cheapest MDF coffin, etc.

Have a chat with your local Co. Council about the cost of a single plot in your local graveyard - in case you decide at the last minute to provide the earth worms with some nourishment ! You may be able to book a specific plot by paying a deposit and the remainder later. Once you have all arrangements made to the best of your ability, put it to the back of your mind and enjoy life and make the most of it - and remember as we're only here for a short time it should be for a good time.

I agree 100%, they have families over a barrel. Not me, I'm still young and healthy so its a ways off hopefully. I'm not religious so no church for me, I will buy a plot in Wexford for 950 and a biodegradable coffin for a few hundred. With the opening fees (450)I think I could do it all in for und 2k. My family live in Dublin so they won't get to visit as often which I like, I'd want people to get on with their lives. A trip to Wexford a couple of times a year will be good for them.They bury you 4ft down so the organisms and flora process is easier, I like the idea of my remains feeding a tree or plants.