Nobody likes to think about planning a funeral. However, if you're concerned about how you are going to pay for your loved one's funeral, it helps to plan ahead. This includes knowing and understanding the costs associated with funerals. By realizing in advance how much certain things cost, you may be able to cut funeral expenses.

The average funeral costs anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000, but there are ways to pay a lot less. Here are three simple ways you can cut funeral expenses.

1. Shop Around for the Right Casket

If you plan on burying your loved one, you will need to buy a casket. At one time, the funeral home was the only place to buy a casket. This is no longer the case, however, as nowadays you can buy almost anything online, including a casket. When bought at the funeral home, the average price of a casket is $2,200. By shopping online, you can buy a casket for much less than that, with some of them costing less than $500.

2. Shop Around for the Right Headstone

Headstones are another necessary expense when it comes to burying a deceased loved one. You may feel inclined to spend a lot of money on the headstone, as this is what you will see when you visit your loved one at the cemetery. The most expensive headstones can cost up to $10,000.

Some factors to consider when shopping around for a headstone include:

• The size of the headstone
• The material it's made from
• The amount of lettering or artwork involved

If you don't need a headstone that is very elaborate, you can find one that costs between $1,000 and $3,000. Flat grave markers are another less expensive option.

3. You Can Opt for Cremation

When planning a funeral ahead of time, you can ask your loved one if they would rather be cremated instead. This is becoming an extremely popular option and one that cost much less than a burial. The average cost for cremation is about $1,100. The reason for this is you don't have to pay for a casket, embalming, a grave site, a headstone, or the cost of digging the grave.

If your loved one wants to be cremated, you can still choose to have a memorial service at the funeral home. Most funeral homes charge between $2,000 and $4,000 for cremation plus a memorial service. For more information, contact a company like Maurice Moore Memorials.