Military services at funeral homes in Clarksville, TN, do cost money. From caskets and flowers to basic embalming and fees, funeral services can be out of some people’s budgets. What can you do if you want to honor your servicemember but are working with a smaller budget?

If you are working with a smaller budget, you can use these tips to get help paying for or lower the cost of a funeral and associated services for your military member. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help when you need it, especially in a sensitive time after a loss. Don’t be embarrassed or feel guilty for using these tips to help save money at a funeral home.

Start with fundraising. 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 fundraisings like car washes or bake sales, church groups or donations, memorial funds at the deceased’s workplace or bank, as well as crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe.com or GiveForward.com. Social media is also a great tool to make your needs known and get more people involved. Don’t be afraid to share any fundraising or write posts about your needs. 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

Don’t forget about to look for preplanning, too. Check the deceased’s papers and information to see if they made any plans to help pay for their funeral. They might have put in place things such as prepaying programs, funeral insurance, life insurance, and payable-on-death bank accounts.

Finally, there’s government assistance, especially for military service members. 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.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help if you want more tips on how to save money on military services at a funeral home, or would like to learn more about Clarksville, TN funeral homes. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call.