A bereavement is one of the worst things a family will endure. Sometimes making advanced arrangements can comfort a very ill person as they will have a sense of peace knowing that arrangements are financially and legally in place.

In addition to grieving the loss of a person, the costs of burial can be expensive. The funeral, buying a grave and erecting a head stone all add to the pressure a family face. In Deansgrange cemetery in Dublin, a plot can cost €16,000. In other parts of the Dublin, the price of a single plot (which can accommodate three burials) averages €2,000. Cremation is on the increase in Ireland, particularly in Dublin. The cost of cremation varies according to what services are required, but prices are in the region of €500 to €750.

There are a number of things you can consider putting in place to make it easier for your family if you die.

Having a Will

To avoid extra stress, it is worth having a Will. Your Will can state who you wish to inherit you belongings . It can also make clear specific funeral arrangements you may want and most importantly who you would like to appoint as guardians of your children.

Having life insurance

A life insurance policy pays money to your next of kin when you die. This can help cover the cost of burial and can help cover the cost of raising children. The cost of Life insurance varies depending on your age and your health. It can increase in cost if you are a smoker. It is worth shopping around for a good policy. You should be able to get a quote for under €20 p.m. per €100,000 cover for a healthy 35-year-old. Your local credit union may also offer funeral insurance to members with payments upon death of between €5,000-€10,000, for those under 75 years.

Choosing Your Funeral Home

There are many benefits to the multiple choices available today around bereavement tributes and creating your own funeral. For instance by going for a free consultation to a funeral director, you can explore the dedicated spaces they offer for all kinds of funerals, tributes, gatherings, intimate or large. This can help you get a sense of how best a family can utilise the many services on offer. It is important to find out how much each funeral home charges for each service, pick the one that fits your needs and your budget, and purchase a plan that provides this. It will save your loved ones needless turmoil and expense.

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Published: 17 November 2016