When planning a funeral for a loved one, you may be more willing to spend money that you otherwise wouldn't. You want the very best for your friend or relative, and you may feel like paying for every possible service is one way to ensure that. The reality is that you can plan a wonderful funeral without spending a fortune if you do a little planning before you meet with the funeral director. Here are a list of things to consider doing when planning a funeral.

Bring Someone With You

Chances are that one of your friends or relatives will tell you to let them know if there is anything they can do for you. Take them up on it and have a friend accompany you to the funeral home. This friend can help to act as your voice of reason if you become overwhelmed emotionally or feel pressured to make certain choices due to your grief. He or she can let you know when you are going over your budget and can make it easier to choose only those services you need. Having a friend can also be a great source of strength while you are grieving.

Ask For A Price List

Funeral homes should have a price list available for all their services. If you are discussing funeral packages with the director, ask to see the price list as well. In some cases, the packages may include services you don't need, and you may be able to pay less by ordering the exact services you need by paying a la carte. You can even do a bit of research ahead of time by checking out the funeral home's website. Some funeral directors have their price lists available for download, which means you can print the list and circle the services you need to make the planning process easier.

Handle Some Arrangements On Your Own

While the funeral director can handle a lot of the small details for you, there are lots of things you can do on your own to save money. By handling a few of these tasks on your own, you can take comfort knowing you are helping with the final preparations while lowering the cost of the funeral service. Some things you can do on your own might include:

• Creating a photo slideshow
• Creating a playlist
• Creating your own flower arrangements
• Arranging for a luncheon at your home

Be upfront with the funeral director about your budget. He or she will work with you to make sure you get the funeral services your loved one deserves without spending more than you can afford.

Speak with a funeral home like Elmwood Meunier Funeral Home for more information.