You can't take it with you when you go?

For the ultimate do-it-yourself project, how about making your own coffin? ABC news KSAX tells this story of Patrick Kilby in New York Mills, Minn....

Patrick has been a woodworker all his life. When his mother passed away, the family found that a nice, simple coffin started at $3,500 and went up quickly with extras. So, "My sister ... volunteered me to make a casket for my mother."

He found "solice" in the experience and now teaches others how to make coffins and offers a simple pine box through his new company website with prices starting at $1,200.

Some customers have bought a coffin as furniture!  I'm reminded of a Japanese Manga (comic book), where the main character traveled the world with his own coffin strapped to his back.

Funeral Costs

“You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours.” -Yogi Berra

The Consumerist has an excellent article called Save Money On A Funeral. Did you know, for example, that there is an FTC regulation called the Funeral Rule that gives you the following rights?

• Funeral directors must give you itemized prices in person. They must also supply itemized prices over the phone (but you must request it).
• If you ask, they must give you itemized prices for any other services like caskets, burial containers, etc.
• No funeral director or home can force you to buy a package. You can buy only what you want. In fact, you can bring your own casket and there will be no "handling fee” by law.
• If a state or local law requires that you buy a particular item, the funeral director must state that next to the item on the price list, and reference the specific law.
• If you choose cremation, the funeral provider must offer alternative containers to an expensive casket for the actual cremation.
• The funeral director must show you a list of caskets for sale, including descriptions and prices, before showing you the actual caskets. Studies show most people will buy one of the first three caskets they are shown. Prior to this law, directors exploited human nature by showing the three expensive models first.
• There is no technology, embalming chemical, coffin, liner, or vault that will preserve a body indefinitely. Funeral directors can't promise or insinuate otherwise. Don’t buy the extra seals or liners in a vain attempt to keep the body preserved longer after burial.

For more details check out the full story at Save Money On A Funeral.

Bottom Line

Additional suggestions from the story include:

• Consider a direct burial with a memorial service
• You mighty not have to worry about embalming if you cremate or bury shortly after death
• Shop around for the casket. It may be cheaper online. You might even be able to rent a casket
• If the deceased is a veteran or spouse, a military funeral could save money
• Ask your minister or rabbi for advice on funeral cost savings.