Planning a funeral is an emotionally difficult experience, especially for the recently bereaved. It is not always easy to know how someone would have wished funeral arrangements to take place. Here are several areas to consider to make the funeral planning process go more smoothly.
Burial or Cremation
A funeral director will be able to help the family arrange for burial in a churchyard or public burial ground or cremation at a crematorium. This is a personal decision which in many cases the deceased will already have specified. If opting for cremation then a key decision is what to do with the ashes. These can usually be collected the day after the funeral for the family to carry out any further wishes.
Viewing the Deceased
Viewing the body of a loved one is one way to help friends and family accept their passing. How this should take place is a personal decision, as some people prefer to avoid viewing. A good way to handle this is to make the option available, whether at a person's home or a funeral parlor.
Flowers, Memorials and Notices
One important decision is whether to accept flowers as many people send these to pay their respects. However it is also common to make a charitable donation instead or to send the flowers to another location where they will be appreciated such as in an elder care home. Funeral directors are usually able to help with this.
There are two types of notices that may be important. The first is the obituary notice placed in a local or national publication to announce the person's death and the details of the funeral. This can also include a tribute to the person who has died. Another kind of notice may be inserted in the paper after the funeral to thank people for their support.
An option for the service itself is to keep a sort of guestbook where people can record reflections and memories about the person who has died which will serve as a memento for those left behind.
Transportation, Hearse and Cortege
There are several considerations regarding transportation, such as the type of hearse, the departure location, the number of cars in the cortege, the route and whether transportation is required to the location of the wake if there is one. It is also worth thinking about whether elderly or disabled mourners will require special facilities such as wheelchairs.
On the Day of the Funeral
When planning the funeral service itself, things to think about include whether pallbearers will be required and who they should be, the type of music to be played or sung, and whether there will be funeral eulogies – and who should deliver them. Much of this information will also need to be included in the order of service.
Finally it is important to consider whether there will be a gathering after the funeral. If there is it is worth considering hiring a caterer to provide any refreshments needed.
Sharon Hurley Hall - I am an expert web content writer, with more than 20 years' experience writing for newspapers, magazines and websites. I write ebooks, web ...
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