An affordable funeral

Safeguarding your grieving process

With a 'cheap' funeral, savings are usually made on parts of the funeral that can be very important when saying goodbye, such as gathering everybody for a ceremony. Space and time, however, are essential in a grieving process. Savings are also often made on flower decorations, which are then seen as 'loose decoration'. However, attentively decorating a body is an act and gesture with which you show love to the deceased. Sometimes it is not even possible to be present at the burial. However, this is an essential moment; the moment when the farewell becomes most tangible. It would be a shame to forgo these ceremonial moments, but how can savings be made on a funeral?

Alternatives to a coffin

In the Netherlands, it is permitted to be laid out and buried on a carrier in a shroud instead of in a coffin. Classic solid wood lacquered coffins often cost a fortune, while an organic shroud and stretcher are available for €554, such as in our Basic Set. The great thing about the basic set is that it can also be painted by relatives, to make the covering truly personal. Something can also be embroidered on the shroud, or notes or flowers can be placed between the folds of the shroud.

An affordable funeral; the ceremony

Instead of renting a space in a funeral home, you can also receive visitors at home for coffee and sandwiches. This is immediately much more personal than in an unknown space. The whole ceremony could take place at home: speeches can be given, people can recite poems, make music, look at photos. If you are with the right people, you can say goodbye anywhere. The relatives themselves make the farewell.

Flower decoration

Elaborate flower arrangements, especially multiple, can be very expensive. This is because a lot of time and attention is put into the composition of the flowers, and the way in which it is presented. Of course, you can also put this time and attention into making a bouquet yourself. A bouquet is perhaps less professional when it is made by the relatives themselves, but much more personal and therefore even more beautiful.

Cremation or burial?

A cremation is generally cheaper than a burial, with the added benefit that the ashes can be scattered in a meaningful place. This way you have control over where, when and with whom the final farewell is said, without extra costs involved. Also, unless you have the urn buried or interred, in principle no burial rights need to be purchased.

Pallbearers and a hearse

At a ceremony, the coffin can be carried by relatives instead of by pallbearers. This is both more personal and more affordable. You can also perform the transport of the body yourself. According to the law, it is not even required to use a hearse or car, but can also be done with a cargo bike, for example. With all the choices you make in this regard, it is important to inquire about the specific regulations of the place where you are organizing the farewell.