Remember, every penny you save will by more your relatives can party with, I mean use towards their expenses.

Viewing

Visitation

Embalming

Dressing

Hearse

Expensive grave liner

Expensive headstone

Opening and closing the grave

Makeup

Expensive sealer caskets
Because the funeral service is really for your relatives (it's questionable if you'll be enjoying it) communicate your wishes openly:

Talk to your family about what they would like in a funeral

Once you have a plan, make sure all your relatives have a copy

Carry a card with relatives phone numbers in case of your death or accident

If you decide on cremation, sign your permit ahead of time

Have a memorial service at a church, park, home or favorite place of the deceased

Have you or your family do most of the planning instead of the funeral home staff

Consider an inexpensive non sealing metal casket in 20 gauge steel

Donate the deceased body to medicine

Consider immediate cremation and scattering ashes in a favorite spot

Consider an immediate burial with no embalming or viewing

Pay your final respects before the body is picked up to avoid having to pay for the viewing

Use a low cost enclosure with the deceased's favorite personal effects and clothing

Contact your local memorial society (1-800-765-0107 national directory)

As always, shop several different mortuaries