If the recently departed and/or immediate family members did not participate in preplanning events, making funeral arrangments shortly after passing can be a numbing and difficult process. Consult with close friends and seek a trusted source for planning. A local funeral home might be a good start.

Funeral homes are in business to make money and those making the arrangements are typically not in a state of mind to find the best deal. Preplanning is tough to think about but will pay dividends in time of need. Nonetheless, if you find yourself in need of making funeral arrangements, try to consider the following:

• Funeral Home

You will need a funeral home to properly prepare the body and conduct the visitation. Immediately after a loved one passes, visit your local funeral home for consultation. Funeral homes are equiped to consult and advise in your funeral needs. Most funeral homes offer complete packages which make the process less numbing but are typically more expensive.

• Casket

Funeral homes will sell caskets but typically at grossly inflated prices. If you are on budget, consider purchasing a casket from an online vendor such as TheCasketPlace.com. Online casket vendors can offer significant discounts. Your local funeral home must accept a casket from an external source if you so choose.

• Cemetary

Consider a cemetary close to the funeral home and/or one that has meaning to the family. You will need to visit the cemetary to make separate arrangements if the funeral home of choice do not have a preferred agreeement. A visit to the cemetary includes picking the burial method and plot. Location of the plot and markers are cause for increased prices.