Grieving is a natural human response to the death of a loved one. You may feel, like 82% of over 40-year-olds, that a funeral service will help. It’s a way of paying tribute to a member of your family or a friend.
Fortunately, you don’t have to plan a funeral very often. When you do, it can get quite overwhelming, but don’t worry anymore. If you have the responsibility of organizing a funeral, here’s your checklist for funeral arrangements.
Deciding Between a Funeral Home or Mortuary
A funeral home can help guide you through the funeral arrangements. Their staff understands grief and the needs of grieving people. They coordinate, arrange catering, handle the music and flowers, and even assist you with an obituary.
A funeral home can arrange transport from the place of death to the funeral home and then on to a place of burial or cremation.
A mortuary is less likely to offer the support services of a funeral home. They are focused on preparing the body and possibly on an autopsy if it’s required. Some offer additional services but it’s worth checking what services they provide when deciding between a funeral home vs mortuary.
Once you’ve decided on a funeral home or mortuary, arrange for them to remove your loved one from their place of death. Obtain the official death certificate.
Burial or Cremation
An early decision you will need to make is between a burial or cremation. Your loved one may have expressed a wish for one or the other and this may be found in their will. If they have not expressed a preference, then you will need to decide.
Planning the Funeral
It may be uncomfortable but funeral costs have to be considered. Do some research and decide how much you want to pay. There may be some provision for funeral expenses in the will or your loved one may have made some other provision for the cost of a funeral.
A simple funeral might be little more than cremation. A more extensive one could include a memorial service or celebration of life.
Funeral Details
Discuss the details with your funeral director. Chose a casket, flowers, and a headstone if you’re having one. Decide on a printed order of service and some photographs of the deceased.
Some memorial services will be religious in style and others not. Music is often a feature of any funeral so you chose some music or hymns that are appropriate.
The Obituary and Eulogy
An obituary is an announcement of someone’s death, sometimes placed in the press. It can give a short account of their life. It might also state the time, date, and location of the funeral.
A eulogy, given at a funeral, gives an account of the deceased’s life. It’s normal for this to be a celebration of their life.
You should organize who will give a eulogy and any other formal aspects of the funeral including readings or prayers.
The Funeral
Organize the venue for the funeral and arrangements for people to get there. Let everybody who’s invited know the arrangements.
Your Checklist for Funeral Arrangements
With this checklist for funeral arrangements, you’ve got everything covered. Go ahead with the funeral. It can be a proper tribute to your loved one.
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