Funeral Arranging Tips
Funeral planning can be a taxing activity. In most cases, you will have limited time to plan the event. The issue is further complicated by the fact that you may be grieving your loved one. This article proposes a few tips to help you plan a funeral.
Handling The Body
Once your loved one dies, your immediate concern should be how you will handle their remains. Ideally, you should hire a funeral home to store their body. The general rule is that you should conduct due diligence to establish the quality of services offered by the funeral home. For instance, check the location and reputation of the funeral home. Besides, inquire about the availability of essential services such as embalming, cremation, applying for death certificates, provision of caskets and transport services. Additionally, the funeral director at the facility must have adequate experience in the planning of funerals.
Establish The Last Wishes Of The Deceased
In some cases, the deceased could have wishes regarding how they would want their funeral planned. For example, it could be they wished to be buried at a particular spot. Alternatively, they could have wanted a specific individual to lead their funeral. It is always wise to heed the person's last wishes. It is the only way to guarantee a befitting burial.
Funeral Program
Below are some tips to help you prepare the funeral program:
- Establish the need for a wake or a memorial. These events will help friends and family to cope with the loss of their loved one.
- Set a funeral date. Ideally, the date should be such that the guests have time to travel. However, in some cases, culture and religious beliefs could compel you to hold the funeral immediately.
- Ensure that all groups (immediate family, friends, colleagues and business partners) are represented in the funeral program.
- Talk with the guest speakers to ensure that they observe time when giving their speeches. Remember, you do not want the event running longer than it should have.
Funeral Budget
Set a budget for the funeral program. Check if the deceased had left some funds to cater to the funeral expenses. For instance, they could have a pre-paid funeral plan or life insurance policy. Besides, they could have money in a joint account to pay the funeral expenses. If the expenses exceed the funeral budget, talk with the funeral director and consult how to bring down the costs. For example, you could opt for light meals and drinks as opposed to full-service catering.
When planning a funeral, determine how to handle the body, establish the deceased's last wishes, observe the recommended tips when setting the program and set a funeral budget. To learn more, contact a funeral arranging service.
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