Planning your loved one’s memorial service can prove daunting, especially when you want to do it on a budget. However, a little creativity with mindful planning can make organizing a meaningful, respectful memorial more affordable. Doing that simplifies the organizational load you face in a time of grief and makes things easier for you and your family when you are mourning. Keep reading to find out specific steps you can take to make a memorial happen without spending needless money on it.
Cover Your Bases
The first thing to do in affordable memorial planning is to make sure you account for the bare necessities. If you don’t, you risk exceeding your budget with surprise expenses. Your first decision will likely be choosing a venue to hold your memorial service. Funeral homes and churches are traditional options but might be more expensive, whereas community centers and public parks can be more affordable and still suitable. Schedule a date and time when everyone can attend, but remember that weekends and evenings might cost more.
Make a Budget
If you want to stay within a budget for a memorial service, then you should first make one. While this is a powerful step in the right direction, it can also be difficult to concentrate on at a time when you’re mourning the recent loss of a loved one. Fortunately, you can break it down into steps using a spreadsheet.
List out the individual items or expenses you’ll need to spend money on and then estimate the amount needed for each category. The amount needed for each category can vary quite a bit depending on how many people might be attending. Create specific descriptions so you can shop accurately for each category, then mark down the best actual costs.
Reducing Your Costs
Whether you work through a funeral home or host an event in your home, you should always look for ways to reduce the expenses for the memorial service that you’re planning. DIY decorations, including slideshows, memory boards, and photo displays, can bring a personal vibe to a service. Ask attendees for contributions, ranging from artistic performances to food for the reception. Shop around multiple venues to find one that would honor your loved one without breaking your budget. If it was within their final wishes, opt for cremation to save money. Also, consider skipping a newspaper obituary; you can share it online via social media, where more people will likely see it.
Keep It Meaningful
Keeping memorial expenses affordable is important, but you still want a respectful service that honors the recently deceased. Craft a service reflective of their values, interests, and personality. You can accomplish this with heartfelt gestures that convey serious meaning and usually don’t cost as much as expensive arrangements. Personal anecdotes, arranged readings, and favorite songs help everyone remember who they’ve lost without spending much. Involve others when you can distribute the financial and emotional load while opening the door to other perspectives and ideas for a truly inclusive and communal event.
