Funerals Advice For a Loved One's Funeral

Planning a loved one’s funeral

Posted by funerals on Jul 28th, 2010 in Planning a funeral | 0 comments

Make Your Decisions Known

If you’re planning a loved one’s funeral, talk with your family about what the loved one would want. If they had a written request things would be simpler. Keep a record of all the decisions that have been made so that nothing is missed our. We have created a checklist for you to follow.

1. Contact Funeral Directors

Contact several funeral directors in your area to compare prices and available options. You can request written information about the cost of the merchandise, services, and professional fees before finalising any plans. The funeral home staff will assist you in obtaining death certificates and in preparing and submitting the obituary. Discuss any religious or cultural preferences that you would like honored with the funeral director. The director can help you contact the clergy member you’ve chosen to perform the memorial service or you help you locate one.

2. Flowers vs. Donations

Most guests at a funeral will bring flowers or have them sent unless they are instructed otherwise. If you would rather your guest donate money to a charity in lieu of flowers, you can make that request in the obituary and by word of mouth. Be sure to include instructions on where to send donations.

3. Choose Your Disposition

The final plans for the deceased’s remains include:

Burial – Burial requires purchasing a cemetery plot, casket, grave liner or vault, and grave marker or monument.

Entombment – A patient or family may choose to have the body entombed above ground in a casket placed in a tomb or mausoleum.

Cremation – Cremation is a heat process which reduces the remains to ashes. The ashes can be stored in a urn and buried, placed in a niche at a cemetery, kept at home, or scattered. If the wish is for the ashes to be scattered, you should consult with the funeral director regarding legal restrictions.

4. Write or prepare your Eulogy

A eulogy is somewhat like a personalised speech. It is given at a funeral as a testimonial to the life of the deceased. It is usually given by a relative or a close personal friend of the person who passed away. We have prepared a section just on eulogy advice.