DIY funerals are often seen as doing everything yourselves,
which can be quite daunting, yes, it would certainly keep the costs down, however, funerals take a lot of emotional and practical skill and it is not something most people can pull off well, and let’s face it, you only get one shot at it!

The most common DIY is therefore to do the parts of the funeral which will empower you, fulfil you, and not do the ones that exhaust you and cause undue stress. With proper guidance doing parts of DIY funerals can be very fulfilling and we as Funeral Directors can act as guides and backup for this.

DIY Funerals for a small gathering, say 20 people at home, can work well as it means
using your own venue and equipment.

Larger events however can become complicated with DIY.
For example, some families have tried to save on the cost of using our Funeral Chapel by organising the event themselves. Yet, after paying for venue hire, equipment such as sound, Audiovisual and setup, the total bill can reach $1,500. In contrast, renting the chapel for $500 includes all necessary equipment and setup, plus an additional $500 for staff, totalling $1,000—one-third of the DIY cost.

Additionally, live streaming and recording can add over $1,500 if outsourced, while our chapel offers these services for $230. Hence, using the chapel saves about 144% compared to DIY options.

DIY Caskets can be a cost-effective choice but come with challenges.

Homemade caskets often lack strength and may not fit properly if measurements were taken when the person was healthy. However, they work well in two scenarios: When a family member with joinery skills constructs the casket, guided by professional measurements.
When a family chooses a basic casket from us and personalises it with their own interior lining and decorations.

Other cost-saving tips when we are involved in helping families include providing your own food, especially in a home or church setting, and supplying pre-scanned photos to avoid additional editing fees. Having a casket at home can also reduce our staff time and associated costs.

In summary, while DIY funerals can save money, they require careful planning and effort. Consulting with a Funeral Director can provide valuable advice, and the best form of DIY we think is working with the Funeral Home to ultimately save money and stress.