What if you’re poor?
That question was the only sentence in an email I received the other day. And it’s a good question! Death is expensive. If you don’t have a lot of money—and if your parents didn’t have a lot of money, either—how are you supposed to pay for it?
The sender of that email had good timing; I had just finished an entire chapter on the subject for my upcoming book. Obviously, I can’t rewrite an entire chapter on this blog, but here are some quick highlights:
Consider your parents’ biographies. Were they religious? Did they belong to any workers unions or social clubs? Many organizations like these offer funeral/burial discounts or stipends to their members.
When it comes to hospice or other medical care, many facilities have financial aid programs and/or are willing to negotiate bills. Ask about it!
Many funeral homes offer payment plans, and you may be able to receive a one-time burial payment from the Social Security Administration.
If you inherited a house from your parents but can’t make the mortgage payments, consider talking to a counselor at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It’s free!
Many cities offer free financial counseling through a program called FEC Public.
I’ve added several resources related to financial woes, as well as some additional caregiving resources, to the resources page. I’ve also updated the resources-by-state section to include links to both Jewish and Muslim funeral homes and a lawyer search from the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Hope this helps!