Frugal Yankees everywhere try to save money while they are alive, but what about when you are dead? There are several movements trending across the country. Cremations have risen from virtually nothing 50 years ago to over 33% today. Then there are eco-pods and other green alternatives. The Frugal Yankee has looked into this. Here is what we found.

Garen visited the studio of NH Public Radio and discussed this topic with Virginia Prescott. It's a short piece of audio. Here's the Link

Green & Frugal Funerals
A probing inquiry into how not to get taken along with smart tips on funerals with Joshua Slocum, the Executive Director of the Funeral Consumers Aliance. A must first step for anyone planning a funeral. Listen to the PODCAST

BLOG: The Frugal Yankee's Own Experience A brother dies. Even though he planned his funeral well and everyone wanted to accede to his wishes, there was still issues. Being a Frugal Yankee helped.

Organic food, organic clothes, now organic funerals. Natural burials are a burgeoning phenomenom. What is it? The Frugal Yankee chats with Cynthia Beal of the Natural Burial Company. Listen or download the audio

RESOURCES
For more information, try these sites.

To buy coffins or caskets:

You can order kits over the internet. Prices range from the low hundreds to thousands. You can google "alternative caskets" or start with these sites.
KENT CAST or THE GREEN BURIAL COUNCIL

For more traditional caskets, but at a better price, try googling 'Caskets" or you could start with National Casket Retailers Assn , but before you buy, be sure to calculate shipping costs.

OTHER RESOURCES
A great resource with affordable membership is the
FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE
 
Be sure you check with your local state. Many of them have manuals and guidelines to help citizens. In my state there is the New Hampshire Dept of Justice, Consumer Sourcebook

If you are considering a woodland memorial, again, know what is legal in your state. Around here the state government has a program called New Hampshire Tree Memorials

But whatever you do, plan ahead, be smart and don't get fooled by people wanting to sell you 'products' you don't need or want.