Remembering a loved one, while staying out of debt

Funerals are an unfortunate, but inevitable part of life. And the way the economy is shaping up, they can cause some financial anxiety too. "Funeral expenses are one of those unexpected items that folks aren't prepared for, but it is still a part of life and most people want to honor the memory of their loved one in some fashion," said Andrews Mortuary president Rick Andrews. Families try to remember their loved ones, while also trying to stay out of debt. Andrews said some people are turning to cremation as a less expensive option. The average cost of a funeral in our area can be more than $6,000, and a cremation ceremony is half that. Another way people in our area are keeping the cost down is by hosting a gathering at someone's home, instead of renting a facility. "We realize the situation and the times, and we've always had a policy of trying to work with people and if necessary,” said Andrews. “We will do what we can with limited funds to try and meet their needs." Those needs may include cutting back on other related services, like traditional sympathy flowers. Florist Gene Rosenberg said over the past year or so, people have been looking for less elaborate arrangements, just to save a little money. "We are a big fan of green plants, so you can take it home, water it, and walk by it, in three or four weeks and say, wow this really reminds me of mom," said Rosenberg. She said flowers can help fill a void when words are hard to find. "We've gotten cards back that say, ‘Thank you so much. This spoke so much to how our dad was or my husband was.’" Cremations are a popular option in our area, because we live on the coast. Many people want to have their ashes spread in the ocean.