6 Affordable Alternatives to a Traditional Funeral 

While a traditional funeral has benefits, having one is not compulsory. Funeral homes in Affton, MO, can help you organize several alternatives that also honor your loved one, with the added advantage of being less expensive. Here are some of them.

If you don’t yet have a specific service in mind, direct cremation is an affordable way to take care of your loved one’s body. There’s no service to organize, and you can have your preferred service after the funeral home returns the ashes.

Direct cremation is also a great choice if you can’t travel for the funeral or wish to organize your preferred memorial service on your own later.

But you don’t have to wait. Funeral homes and some crematoriums offer cremation with a memorial service. Although it costs more than a direct cremation, it still costs significantly less than a traditional funeral.

And like direct cremation, the body goes straight to the funeral home. There’s no need for embalming, casket, or burial plot. The funeral home works with the family to organize a memorial service, which can occur anywhere.

Instead of an elaborate traditional funeral with multiple services, a scattering ceremony is a more affordable and personalized alternative. However, it only applies with cremation since ashes are a core part of the ceremony.

A scattering ceremony is a small service, doable alone or with friends and family. You can also hold it anywhere, so you don’t have to pay venue costs. It’s not uncommon for families to have a scattering ceremony in free spaces like a beach, hiking trail, or at home.

A movie night memorial is an inexpensive way to honor your loved one’s memory alongside close friends and family. You can have it at a local cinema, a local hall, or at home, and it does not have to be “at night” either.

It’s a themed memorial where you and your guests watch your loved one’s favorite movies or movies by his favorite actors. You can even incorporate games into the event, like having guests quote from a film. Guests can also share memories and thoughts about the deceased.

A celebration of life is a festive event for families to honor a loved one in a positive atmosphere. It can be a formal or informal ceremony, but always cheerful, with friends, family members, and community members.

The beauty of a celebration of life as a traditional funeral alternative is the scale is up to you. It can be as simple as a house party or extravagant as a local parade.

There’s no defined set of activities either. A celebration of life can incorporate as many or as few events as you wish, allowing you to tailor it according to your budget.

Sometimes, the best way to honor a loved one isn’t by spending money but with your time. Was your loved one a community volunteer? Is there a charity they supported or were heavily involved with?

Volunteer your time with them. You can do this alone or with guests. Doing this will help you preserve your loved one’s legacy.

These are just some of the affordable alternatives to a traditional funeral. There’s plenty more. Whichever one you choose, our Affton, MO funeral home is available to help you arrange it. Call us now to speak with our funeral director.