The Frugal Undertaker

Most people plan for a variety of events throughtout their lives. We plan for birthdays, holidays, school graduations, weddings, etc. Funerals are the least financially planned event.

Death is part of the cycle of life. It is inevitable. There are different funeral customs in every culture. Some cultures have very simple graveside services or simple cremation, while others have full services with funeral home and church ceremonies.

When finances are an issue we try to help families decide between "wants" and "needs". These types of choices are made every day when we purchase goods and services at stores, but they seem to be a big issue when making funeral arrangements. We do not encourage emotional over-spending or adding more debt to a family.

We encourage all families to have an open and honest discussion about funeral related expenses. The funeral home will gladly offer suggestions about alternative services that might fit your budget.

Payable On Death Savings Account

This type of account is sometimes called a "P.O.D." account. You can open a Payable On Death savings account at your bank with the intention of using those funds for paying your funeral expenses. This must be an individual account and not a joint account. You will name one trusted person as the beneficiary of the account. The beneficiary may only access the funds after you have passed away and have presented proof of death. You can make deposits to this account at any time, and you always maintain control of the money.

When the time comes to use these funds to pay for funeral expenses the beneficiary must present a current bank statement that shows the account balance as proof of financial responsibility.

We will be glad to help you make future funeral arrangements. Please call us to set up a time to discuss your options.