Hi Ethel, I’m sorry to hear about your father’s death. Please start with our Funeral FAQ section. It shows you how to economize on funeral arrangements. Remember that your primary control is not to overspend (spending beyond what you have available). That may mean you have to choose a much simpler set of services than you might prefer. There are no charities that will pay for a funeral, and any state/county assistance will be for a simple cremation or burial without ceremony, if assistance is available at all. Here are some tips: http://www.funerals.org/faq/2620-cantafford