15 Ways to Find Money & Reduce Costs TODAY

 

Whole Body Donation to Science & Education 

COST: FREE within 100 miles of the University of Utah. Although the U of U prefers donors sign up ahead of time, the Next of kin may call (University of Utah 801-581-6728) to arrange consent immediately.

If a mortuary has the body embalming is done differently, so tell them that you wish to donate the body. Contact the U of U Body Donor Program directly if you are not using a mortuary. You may have a week or so for viewing or funeral before donating the body, if you keep it properly cooled.

After the school is done with the body, the cremated remains are either buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, or returned to the next of kin.

 

The following disqualify a body for study:

• major recent surgery

• traumatic accident

• autopsy

• ascites (severe abdominal fluid retention)

• edema

• obesity

• contagious disease (such as HIV, Hepatitis, Jacob Kruetzfeld or Tuberculosis)

• jaundice

• organ donation other than skin and eyes (Using your drivers license you can alter your organ donor details. For example you can specify "skin & eyes only" on the Donor Registry: www.yesutah.org )​

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Crime Victim's Reparation

You may be able to apply for reimbursement of funeral and burial related expenses: https://crimevictim.utah.gov/ 

In some states if you start a "Go-fund me" before applying for 'victim reparations' you may be disqualified. Ask if that's the case in Utah.

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Credit Union Death Benefits

Here is a partial list of Credit Unions in Utah that offer a FREE payout upon a member's death.

For the listed beneficiary, executor, or next-of-kin. Must bring death certificate and your identification.

• UCCU $1K death benefit for every account holder automatically,

• Utah First $1K death benefit to each acct holder over 18 that pre-enrolls https://utahfirst.com/trustage/

• America First $2K to each acct holder that pre-enrolls https://www.amerfirst.org/products/insurance/ad-d-insurance

• Mountain America $3K accidental death benefit for members over 18 who pre-enroll. It pays off your credit union loans then your beneficiary gets any remaining funds. https://www.macu.com/services/protection/accidental-death-dismemberment

 

Other Death Benefits

• Social Security ($255 to surviving spouse or dependents living in the home),

• Insurance (some car or homeowners plans include a death benefit)

• Veteran's Associations (see below for more veterans details),

• Unions with dues

• Fraternal organizations with dues

• An Employer may be insured to provide a death benefit 

 

Find the Contract & Change Your Mind

Sometimes a contract for funeral services has been purchased prior to death. Hunt for it. If you find one, you can reduce the products or services that were paid for and apply the proceeds to pay for unexpected costs such as: to pay for extra body transport, or extra body prep etc. Example: switch to a cremation in order to afford a cemetery plot that was not paid for yet.

Utah Funeral Licensure Rules:

R156-9-617. Goods and Services Not Provided - Refund.

If goods or services selected in the preneed contract are not provided at the time of need, the amount paid for those goods and services and any unexpended earnings thereupon will be distributed to the preneed contract buyer or the buyer's representative or in their absence, the buyer's heirs and beneficiaries.

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Ask if there was any "Pay On Death" Account

A Pay-on-Death (P.O.D.) account or Teten Trust is a checking or savings account that includes a named beneficiary. This person can access it only upon death of the account holder. This money bypasses probate. Even the Federal government says all Credit Unions and banks can offer this: https://ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/legal-opinions/2003/payable-death-accounts

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Public Appeals

Stories about fund-raisers are often seen in the news. If you go this route don't feel pressured to buy anything BEFORE you have searched out your options to raise funds and reduce costs. Watch out for high refrigeration charges at most mortuaries.  They say they will charge a lot per day (AFTER 4-7 days) in order to pressure you to make fast decisions.  You CAN negotiate a reasonable storage fee or demand the body back.

 

If it turns out to be hard to raise funds, there are options to over-priced products & services. See some solutions to this dilemma on our DIY page.

 

Veterans Benefits

Honorably discharged veterans get FREE burial at a National Veterans Cemetery & Utah's State Veterans Cemetery.  Free burial often includes a grave plot (or niche in the case of ashes), vault, opening and closing, marker, and setting fee. 

Spouses of Veterans get burial for under $828 plus the cost of a vault.

Utah's Veteran Cemetery & Memorial Park : 801-254-9036

17111 S Camp Williams Rd, Bluffdale, UT 84065

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See more general details on Veterans' benefits https://www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/index.asp

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TAPS.org may help pay funeral or cremation costs, apply here: https://www.taps.org/casework

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For burial in a Veterans' Cemetery you need a: "DD 214" This is a document of the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a service member's retirement, separation or discharge from active-duty.  If your DD214 is lost do not wait until after death to obtain one. 

Reservists and National Guard retired personnel with 20 yrs of service are eligible for burial also, as well as surviving spouses and dependent children (under rules established by the State of Utah: Just Google "Utah Code 71-7-3" to read it.

 

Utah Families can act as their own funeral director when caring for their veteran dead with proper paperwork from the Health Department's Vital Records Office (located in the county where death occurred). Family may bring their veteran to the cemetery themselves, make their own casket and bypass a mortuary completely, saving thousand of dollars. (how-to: DIY Funeral)

 

Relatives Sharing the Cost

If no individual was assigned to 'control the disposition of remains' prior to death, it falls to "the next of kin" to AGREE on what to purchase. Many find it difficult to buy a frugal & simple funeral in this situation because time and again, an offer from one family member to "contribute"  or "pay for everything" (maybe they have a friend or relative in the funeral biz from whom they think they can get a discount). BUT when they get the bill (or their part of it) they change their mind, and expect you to pitch-in more, "after all, YOU made the selections". In reality everyone was hesitant to control costs because of assumptions and unspoken terms of the agreement. Do yourself a favor: reduce costs up front no matter what help is offered.

 

Ask for Church Offerings

Some families ask their congregation to help pay for a funeral. Sometimes they will agree to pay half of whatever you buy. Church leaders are usually unaware of how to help you reduce costs, or they will play a neutral role in decisions about what you buy, so as not to pressure you into something you'll later regret. So we urge you to reduce costs yourself using our price comparison survey of funeral homes.

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AND consider itemizing instead of buying a "package". Did you know mortuaries charge ~$400 per viewing/visitation, another ~$400 per funeral, plus ~$400 per graveside service? You don't need any of that!

If you:

1) have pall bearers and a sturdy table -you can direct a viewing,

2) if you can conduct a meeting & keep track of time -you can direct a funeral

3) if you have people to move flowers, provide a mic/speaker -you can conduct a graveside service

4) if you have an SUV, van or a truck to move the casket -you don't need a hearse (the mortuary can get you a burial transit permit)

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Apply for Indigent Cremation

To qualify the deceased and responsible next of kin have low income (Utah 2022 Indigent Income Guidelines) and willing to possibly forfeit the ashes to the mortuary's discretion. Apply through the contracted provider, of the county where death occurred. Partial list as of spring 2025:

• Davis County and Weber County: Leavitt's Mortuary

• Salt Lake County: Premier Funeral Services

• Tooele County: Tate Mortuary

• Utah County: Premier Funeral Services

• Washington County

 

Compare Prices

Mortuaries in each section of Utah: At-A-Glance Mortuary Price Comparison Survey

To sort by distance, price and/or type of service anywhere in the nation you can try https://www.funeralocity.com/ (not all funeral homes included). Even better search for an FCA that may have done a price survey like ours.

 

Cemeteries: Plots, fees and liners often total well over $2K+. Some are extremely high-priced and have unfair fees and strict policies. Scroll down for a list of the "Most Affordable Cemeteries in Utah" 

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Cheaper Caskets

See our Carrying a Body page for local vendors who sell directly to the public, instructions on how to build a casket, and more. Note: it is a violation of the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule for a funeral home to charge you a fee for providing your own casket. Reach out day of the week if they try: Joyce 801-368-5884

 

Cremation & Burial of Remains

Cremation in Utah costs under $1K. Two to four persons' ashes may be buried in each plot in most cemeteries (saving $1,500 & up  per burial). Or bury ashes on your own property, or scatter nearly anywhere, or ask your favorite cemetery if they have an ossuary where cremated remains may be entombed communally for free. Even some very expensive cemeteries offer this option.

You can still hold a funeral before or a memorial service after without a funeral director. 

Do you worry cremation is opposed by God?: Scriptural and Religious Views on Modes of Disposition

 

                                                                                 

                      

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Transport Your Own Dead

EMBALMING IS NOT REQUIRED for viewing or body transport, even across State lines (unless you're a funeral director)! Families can transport their own dead! ALSO you don't have a limited time to bury just because you choose not to embalm (simply keep the body cold). Call/text Joyce at 801-368-5884 any time 7 days/week if anyone tries to lie to you about that. 

Experience the special satisfaction that comes to those who care for their own dead personally.

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Ask for and Accept Participation instead of Cash

When a death occurs loved ones want to do something. It doesn't take a lot of people to pull off a lovely service. They often say, "Please call if I can do anything", not being at all sure what they really could do. So here is a list to help you:

 

• Notify family and friends, by phone or e-mail, Facebook or Instagram etc.

• Be in charge/or assist you in obtaining the required paperwork (death certificate, burial transit or disposition permit, permit to cremate).

• Contact the cemetery, crematory, or medical school to schedule the body's arrival.

• Prepare the body (mortuaries charge ~$400 to clean, dress and casket a body)

• Make or purchase a local casket or a shroud (if going with a shroud ask cemetery for approval)

• Obtain dry ice or frozen gel packs, if keeping body cold yourselves. (Professional Refrigeration ~$100/day)

• Offer their home or yard as a venue for services or help prepare yours.

• Arrange for music.

• Contact clergy or someone else to conduct the services (save ~$400 to conduct yourselves)

• Collect photos or other memorabilia.

• Transport: flowers, handicrafts, & photos to the meeting locations (instead of mortuary's utility vehicle).

• Bring refreshments instead of flowers.

• Transport out-of-town guests from the airport.

• Provide overnight accommodations for guests.

• Encouragement: the body doesn't have to be present or the casket doesn't have to be open.

• Print programs for the service (mortuaries charge ~$200)

• Live stream or record events to post later for the benefit of those who can't attend (mortuary charge hundreds for this).

• Let the pall bearers carry the casket (instead of ~$400 to use mortuary casket cart).

• Lend a van/SUV or truck to transport the casket (instead of $350 hearse)

 

OBITUARIES 

Newspaper obituaries are very expensive ($1500 for long ones is typical). Some newspapers let you buy a minimal obit (like $300) and then allow you to add more photos and content AFTER the funeral for no additional charge.

A death notice in the paper can be zero to $100.
Some newspapers offer an "online only" obit for ~$79&up. 

If using a mortuary, they often post obituaries on their website, at no additional cost.

Online Obituary sites help you build, share and host a permanent obituary:

https://www.obituare.com/  for $99.

This Obituary website hosts obits and can also send it to be published in ANY newspaper in the country: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/utah $149 & up

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MOST AFFORDABLE CEMETERIES IN UTAH 

​Utah County
Pony Express City Cemetery in Eagle Mountain requires caskets, allows graveliners. Adult plot prices:
Resident $550 Non-Resident plots $1000 Everyone pays the same for opening/closing $300
Saturday add $300 All plots for cremated remains: $200 inurnment $300

 

Salt lake County

Pleasant Green Cemetery has a Green Burial Section (about 194 plots as of Mar 2026) that allows vault-free burial 

Questions: Sharon 801-641-4169 

Resident (Green burial or Regular) $650 NR (Green or Regular) $1200

Opening/Closing R $850 NR $1200

Resident Cremation plots: $350 o/c $500

NonResident plots $550 o/c $650
 

Sanpete County

Fountain Green Cemetery Resident $300 NonResident $900 
Perpetual care add: R$300, NR $900

Opening/Closing: R$400 NR $600, Sat or after hrs add $100

Plots for cremates Remains R $200 NR $300

If your local cemetery can compete please let us know. We have started a price comparison spreadsheet of Utah cemeteries.

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Flowers

We've made floral arrangements to loan to anyone in need for FREE.

They are in North Utah County. Text Joyce 801-368-5884 for availability and to arrange pick up.

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How can we improve this page?

Send suggestions to joyceinutah@gmail.com

 

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