What if Our Family Cannot Afford an Expensive Funeral?

Start by separating dignity from expense.

A funeral does not become more loving simply because a family spends more money.

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Start with the essentials

Prioritise:

• care of the deceased
• mortuary
• required documentation
• appropriate casket or coffin
• funeral transport
• grave or cremation arrangements

Then consider optional services according to the family’s budget.

Where can costs be reduced?

Families may reconsider:

• unnecessary convoy vehicles
• elaborate décor
• oversized catering
• expensive upgrades
• services being included mainly because other people expect them

Choose the casket within the family’s means.

Check what support already exists

Before beginning fundraising, find out whether the deceased had:

• insurance
• welfare membership
• employer benefits
• SACCO support
• church assistance
• another funeral benefit

If a harambee is necessary

Raise funds against a written budget.

Let people know what the family actually needs rather than collecting money without a clear target.

There is no shame in planning a simple funeral.

A family should not still be paying for one funeral when another crisis arrives.

Dignity should exist at more than one price point.