Ease the Cost of Cremation Services

A simple cremation in Laplace, LA does cost money, and these simple services with basic price tags do not include any extra money for a service or memorial. If you need help paying for cremation services, don’t be embarrassed. It’s OK to need help paying for a cremation, whether you lost someone unexpectedly or want to preplan for your passing. Here are 4 ways you can get help paying for or lower the cost of a cremation:

1. Government Assistance – Local, state and even federal government programs can help pay for funerals and cremations. Check with your local social service, county treasurer, or public fiduciary to see if any systems are in place. These programs have varying requirements, especially since local government budgets are tight, and they are making such programs more difficult to qualify for. Be sure to double check that you are eligible. The Social Security Administration can also provide assistance. Call to report a death and you may be eligible for a lump sum of $225 or other survivor benefits. Other federal programs that can help include Medicare, Medicaid, The Bureau of Indian Affairs, The Railroad Retirement Board, and the Veteran’s Administration.
2. Preplanning – Check the deceased’s papers and information to see if they made any plans to help pay for their cremation. They might have put in place things such as prepaying programs, funeral insurance, life insurance, or payable-on-death bank accounts.
3. Fund Raising – Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your community, neighborhood, friends or other family. You’d be surprised how quickly people will chip in. Get creative with fund raising like car washes or bake sales, church groups or donations, memorial funds at the deceased’s workplace or bank, or crowd funding websites like GoFundMe.com or GiveForward.com. Social media is also a great tool to make your need known and get more people involved. Don’t be afraid to share any fund raising or write posts about your need.
4. Low Cost Options – If you still can’t get enough funding, there are tons of low-cost funeral and cremation options you can choose from, including:

• • • Memorial service at home or a community center
    • Pot-luck food for the service
    • Service at a church or other religious establishment
    • Body donation to a medical school or other organization (Science Care is the world’s largest body donor program)
    • Direct cremation
    • Burial on family land or a family plot

There is no shame in asking for help paying for a cremation or other death-related service. Everyone needs help from time to time, especially when facing the loss of a loved one. Use any of these ideas to get you started.

You can also reach out to Millet Guidry Funeral Home for more assistance or ideas. We offer a range of Laplace, LA cremation services. Give us a call today at to learn more about how to help ease the cost of a cremation, or about what we can do for you.