End-of-life arrangements are something many of us don’t like to think of in “frugal” terms, because we don’t want to be, well, cheap. If you’ve ever gotten a life insurance quote, though, chances are you’ve considered the exorbitant expense the life insurance is designed to cover.

Certainly, going against cultural norms in loved ones’ arrangements could be considered “cheap,” but letting family members know of your own desires not to be a financial burden at your death would never be considered so! There are a number of options; most of us just don’t know about them because who wants to spend enough time thinking about our own mortality to research them?!

The Tightwad Gazette II makes a couple of book recommendations: Funeral Information and Caring for Your Own Dead. I have also recently read about something called “green funerals.” Generally, these are about foregoing embalming and coffins/grave liners that don’t break down, but details vary (as do legalities). Religious and personal preferences vary widely, so I can’t say what option(s) would be best, but don’t be afraid to investigate this subject!