A family funeral is a small-scale funeral attended only by close relatives. This type of funeral is chosen by many people because it allows them to say goodbye to the deceased quietly. However, funeral costs tend to be high, so it is important to know how to hold a family funeral cheaply. Below are some specific ways to hold a family funeral economically.
1. General breakdown of funeral costs
First, let's understand the general costs of a funeral. The average funeral cost in Japan is about 2 million to 3 million yen, but a family funeral can be cheaper than this. Below is a general breakdown of costs:
Funeral company basic fee: 300,000 to 500,000 yen
Altar and decoration costs: 200,000 to 500,000 yen
Cremation cost: 50,000 to 100,000 yen
Memorial photo: 10,000 to 30,000 yen
Venue fee: 100,000 to 200,000 yen
Gifts and offerings: 100,000 to 200,000 yen
Food and drink: 50,000 to 150,000 yen
When you add up all these expenses, you will see that even a family funeral will cost at least 1 million to 1.5 million yen.
2. Comparing Funeral Homes
First, it is important to get quotes from multiple funeral homes and compare the prices and services. Check online for reviews and reputations, and choose a reliable funeral home. Some funeral homes offer package plans, which can help you reduce costs.
For example, online funeral companies such as "Small Funeral" and "Ceremony Service" offer low basic fees, allowing you to save an average of 100,000 to 300,000 yen.
3. Choose the bare minimum
A funeral includes many services, but not all of them are necessarily necessary. For example, you can reduce costs by choosing only the minimum services necessary, such as the size and decoration of the altar and vehicle arrangements. Also, consider using a place that is less expensive, such as your home or a community center, for the funeral.
By reducing the altar cost from 200,000 yen to 100,000 yen, you can expect to save 100,000 yen. Also, by eliminating the need for fancy vehicles, you can save another 50,000 to 100,000 yen.
4. Do what you can yourself
You can reduce costs by doing some parts of the funeral yourself. For example, you can reduce labor costs by having family and relatives cooperate with you to conduct the funeral, arrange flowers, set up the venue, etc. You can also reduce costs by preparing the funeral portrait and offerings yourself.
By preparing everything yourself, you can save 10,000 to 30,000 yen on funeral photos and offerings. You can also save about 50,000 yen on food and drink by preparing everything yourself.
5. Review optional services
Optional services offered by funeral parlours often incur additional charges. Review whether these optional services are really necessary and cut out any that are not. For example, it is fine to omit a luxurious altar or special performances.
By reviewing optional services, you can cut the cost of altar and decorations in half, saving you 100,000 yen from 200,000 yen.
6. Use a funeral home that specializes in family funerals
Recently, the number of funeral parlours specialising in family funerals has been on the rise. These funeral parlours offer plans specialising in family funerals, allowing you to receive services that cut down on unnecessary costs. By using a funeral parlour that specialises in family funerals, you can realise an efficient and economical funeral.
For example, Famille Family Funerals and Aeon Funerals offer plans specifically for family funerals, and you can expect to save an average of 150,000 to 300,000 yen.
7. Use of public support systems
Some municipalities have systems in place to subsidize part of the funeral expenses. For example, there are often subsidies for people on welfare and those with low incomes. By using these systems, you can reduce the burden of funeral expenses. Please check the information at your municipal office or on the Internet to see if there are any systems that apply to you.
By taking advantage of subsidies, you may be able to receive a subsidy of between 50,000 and 100,000 yen.
By practicing the above methods, you can make a family funeral cheaper. In order to send off the deceased quietly, it is important to make economical choices within your means. A family funeral is a simple yet heartwarming ceremony, so plan well and spend your precious time together.