Funeral Planning Guide: What to Purchase and What to Avoid

By Joe.

Planning a funeral can be overwhelming—emotionally and financially. Whether you’re preparing in advance or handling arrangements after a loss, knowing what to buy—and what not to buy—can help reduce costs, stress, and confusion. This SEO-optimized funeral planning guide covers every step, from casket selection to services, and helps you make informed decisions.

Complete Funeral Planning Guide | What to Buy & What to Skip

Plan a funeral with confidence. Discover what you really need to buy—and what you can skip—to save money and honor your loved one’s wishes.

📋 Step-by-Step Funeral Planning Checklist

1. Choose burial, cremation, or green burial
2. Select a funeral home (or plan a home service)
3. Set a budget
4. Choose a casket or urn
5. Plan the service: religious, non-religious, or memorial
6. Notify family and friends
7. Arrange obituary and death certificate
8. Organize transportation and flowers
9. Review and sign the funeral home’s General Price List (GPL)

⚰️ What to Buy: Must-Have Funeral Items

1. Casket or Urn

• ✅ Buy online to save 50–80%
• ✅ Choose based on burial method (traditional, cremation, eco-friendly)
• Popular types: wood, metal, wicker, biodegradable

2. Burial Plot or Cremation Niche

• Required for all interments
• Prices vary by location and cemetery

3. Death Certificate Copies

• Needed for insurance, banking, and legal affairs
• Order multiple certified copies

4. Basic Services Fee (Funeral Home)

• Covers permits, death certificate filing, and service coordination
• Cannot be declined, but compare rates

5. Transportation

• Includes hearse, family car, and body transfer
• Compare bundled vs. à la carte prices

❌ What NOT to Buy (Or Reconsider)

1. High-Markup Caskets from Funeral Homes

• Save thousands by buying online from trusted sellers like Casket Emporium, Titan Casket, or Costco
• Funeral homes must accept outside caskets by law (FTC Funeral Rule)

2. Expensive Sealed or “Protective” Caskets

• These do not prevent decomposition
• Can significantly increase costs without added benefit

3. Embalming (If Not Required)

• Not required by law in most states unless there’s a public viewing or shipping across state lines
• Natural and direct burials often skip embalming

4. Vault or Grave Liner (Unless Cemetery Requires It)

• Many cemeteries do require it, but some natural burial grounds don’t
• Ask the cemetery directly before purchasing

5. Unnecessary Add-Ons

• Keepsake urns, memorial packages, and deluxe guestbooks can add up quickly
• Consider digital options or DIY alternatives

🏆 Smart Funeral Purchases (Budget-Friendly Tips)

🪦 Burial vs. Cremation: What to Buy for Each

🔹 Traditional Burial:

• Casket (wood/metal or biodegradable)
• Burial plot
• Grave liner or vault (if required)
• Headstone or grave marker

🔹 Cremation:

• Cremation urn
• Cremation container (if required)
• Niche or scattering plan
• Memorial plaque (optional)

🔹 Green/Natural Burial:

• Eco-friendly casket or shroud
• No embalming
• Burial plot in a green cemetery

🧾 Compare Funeral Home Costs

FTC Funeral Rule requires all funeral homes to provide:

• A General Price List (GPL)
• Clear itemized costs
• The ability to decline services you don’t want

💡 Always ask for the GPL before making any purchases or signing contracts.

📱 Digital Services & Memorials to Consider

• Online obituaries (Legacy, Ever Loved, or funeral home websites)
• Livestreaming the service for out-of-town guests
• Virtual guestbooks and tributes
• QR-code memorial markers

❤️ Final Thoughts: Funeral Planning with Confidence

Funeral planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming or overpriced. Knowing what to buy and what to skip empowers you to:

• 💰 Stay within budget
• 🙏 Honor your loved one’s wishes
• ✅ Avoid common upsells and pressure

Need help choosing a casket, planning a budget, or comparing funeral homes? If there are any questions please call 800 618 4642.