3 Big Ways You Can Save $ On Your Creative Memorial Plan

by Jenny Leigh Hodgins


In the video above on CREATIVE MEMORIAL PLANNING FOR PROGRESSIVE, NATURE-LOVING ADULTS & CAREGIVERS, I shared 3 Big Ways You Can Save $$$ On your Creative Memorial Plan!


I am the founder of the CREATIVE MEMORIAL PLANNING FOR PROGRESSIVE, NATURE-LOVING ADULTS & CAREGIVERS Facebook Group! I launched this group just after the pandemic started that made planning for the crucial moment even more relevant. 


Here’s Why I Offer Creative Memorial Planning using Alternatives To Traditional Funerals:
I experienced multiple personal tragedies where there was no end-of-life plan in place. I helped my family and friends plan and facilitate creative memorials when their grief rendered them unable to function. 


With my longtime friend Tina, together we volunteered to prepare and facilitate 9 memorials in similar scenarios. I also composed or performed music, recited original poetry, gave eulogies, prepared printed programs, setup tech, and served as a celebrant for these Celebrations of Life. 


When my dear friend Tina died suddenly of a heart attack in February 2019, she had no plan in place. I took all the meticulous and compassionate training I had with her to prepare and facilitate my dear late friend’s memorial as well.


What I learned and why it matters to you
Based on my experiences, I’ve learned what is essential, better for the planet and the pocketbook, and how to make an end-of-life plan more personally meaningful and comforting for surviving loved ones. This last element is most often missing from traditional funerals.


Remember I mentioned how I love finding beauty and creating meaning from ordinary moments? Well, my experiences with loss have been far from ordinary. 


But this is why I launched the Creative Memorial Planning For Progressive Nature-Loving Adults & Caregivers Facebook group and my Creative Memorial Planning webinar. I have helped many others prepare their creative memorial plans using gentler, greener, cost-reducing alternatives to traditional EOL plans. 


? Kudos to YOU for exploring creative memorial planning as it is a delicate niche of GREAT CRITICAL value—one that takes courage & compassion to address! Shout out to all CREATIVE MEMORIAL PLANNING subscribers! If you aren't a member of my Creative Memorial Planning For Progressive, Nature-Loving Adults & Caregivers Facebook Group yet, you can join here. 


Remember that the more actively you engage in the Facebook group posts, share your thoughts and experiences, ask questions, and engage with me in my weekly videos, the more value you will gain! 


Today I shared 3 Big Ways You Can Save $$$ On Your Creative Memorial Plan:

1. Use Alternatives to Traditional Burials. ?? Avoid involving the traditional corporate funeral staff and their facility. Skip the visitation that involves both facility and staff. Opt-out of that costly casket and body cosmetics. Skip the traditional casket-for-burial purchases, limousine, graveside burial service, flowers, etc. Minimize or do not even use your local corporate funeral place. ​



2. Do A Cost Comparison. Avoid the local corporate funeral (you will know who there are as they market with big bucks). Do a local online search instead. Look for smaller companies that offer fewer customer service extras or carry less complex options. In essence, do a cost comparison for price.



3. Choose Direct Cremation. There are several alternatives for handling remains that are greener than traditional options. But if reducing cost is your primary concern, opt for direct cremation. Be sure to specify DIRECT. That cuts out all those extra facility extras like staff, facilities, body cosmetics for a visitation service, and the casket expenses. 


A direct cremation can be made simpler by only opting for the cremation service itself. Do not purchase urns or jewelry from the traditional corporate funeral. There are less costly alternatives if you want an urn or jewelry. There are more beautiful alternatives for incorporating nature and a more meaningful Celebration of Life than the traditional funeral.


Note: Direct cremation is NOT the most planet-friendly option. More earth-friendly options are watermation and natural burial. See the GUIDES and Announcements sections in Creative Memorial Planning For Progressive Nature-Loving Adults & Caregivers Facebook group for more detail on those options. 


But direct cremation is a bit better than aggressively destroying land through casket and vault burials with toxic materials in a cemetery smothered in pesticides. 


? CREATIVE MEMORIAL PLANNING FOR PROGRESSIVE, NATURE-LOVING ADULTS & CAREGIVERS Facebook Group is growing! Please help us grow by inviting those who may benefit from this critical info! Invite any progressive nature lovers, those with family to consider, or caregivers!



Are you ready right now to get your End-of-Life plans mapped out using alternatives to the traditional customs? Learn more about Creative Memorial Planning options with my Creative Memorial Planning Webinar here!


The webinar will help you learn about your concerns, questions, or goals. 

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Get the Creative Memorial Planning Webinar!