The family picks out a casket, the kind of services they want and other details of a funeral that can save a family grief and possibly some money. Usually they have given it some thought and they buy something that is sensible and within their means. Sealed caskets, generally made of steel, can neatly preserve bodies for years, while wooden caskets add an element of beauty to the service, said Doug Ritchie, a funeral director in Louisiana. It is really a matter of taste. Most funeral homes allow a 30-day period for people to pay funeral bill.
Some people have to wait to collect on life insurance policies or for wills to go through probate.
Other payment plans can be arranged for prearranged funerals. Prearranging can also freeze the cost of funerals at today s prices. Ritchie also said shopping different funeral homes is important. Different directors have different prices and different types of services. He also urged consumers to find out specifically what is included in services and the cost of incidental materials.