Planning A Funeral Service-the 5 Most Important Things
“The song has ended but the melody lingers on..”
-Irving Berlin
Birth and death are two inevitable events in every human life. They both have significant impacts on our lives creating overwhelming waves of emotions including happiness and grief. Just like birthday showers, the funerals of our loved ones have to be socially acknowledged and should be done properly to give a happy ending to a life lived well. It also gives an opportunity to the people left behind to express their emotional feelings.
However strong we are, accepting events like the death of a loved one can be challenging. Organizing a funeral ceremony under such emotional pressure would be hard and stressful at the same time. From planning the mourners’ visitations to the cremations or burial of the deceased, it involves a number of things to be taken care of. And that is when an organized funeral service comes into the picture.
What is a funeral service?
A funeral service is a team of professional and dedicated people to organize and execute a funeral ceremony. Based upon the individual traditions and the culture, these service providers offer a wide range of help for the funeral ceremony.
How to plan a Funeral Service?
Whether it’s for our loved ones or for ourselves, planning a proper funeral service is quite important for a smooth ceremony. To plan and choose a good funeral service, there are certain important points and things that one should look out for. Here are such #5 important things that one can consider to plan a funeral service.
The 5 most important things to plan a funeral service:
#1: Type of funeral service
Based upon the individual’s or deceased person’s traditions and personal consent, there are a number of ways one can choose a funeral service plan like the few listed below.
- The type of funeral methods – burial and cremations.
- Personal choice of funeral – simple ceremony or grand ceremony
- Choice of events in the funeral – visitations, wakes, publishing obituaries, memorial services, condolence meetings, ceremony locations, etc.
#2: Cost of the funeral service
One of the main things that many people struggle with are the expenses for the funeral ceremony. The main advantage of planning a funeral service much ahead of time is that it relieves the stress of financial hardships. Fortunately, there are a number of good funeral homes that offer affordable plans for these ceremonies. Some of the major expenses for a funeral includes
- Assistance with paperwork
- Crematorium/Burial fees
- Coffin/Ash containers
- Crematorium/Burial locations.
- Buying headstones, flowers, and other additions
- Funeral events charges
- Transportation charges
#3: Legal and Will proceedings
While planning for a funeral service, it is important to look over the legal matters as well. Many people who are planning their own funerals lookout for a service to help with the inheritance of belongings to their loved ones. In such cases, choosing a funeral service plan along with the will and legal support reduces the effort. A few chief legal proceedings that need to be checked while planning for funeral service are
- Will writings
- Power of attorney
- Legal paperwork for the inheritance
- Saving and property transfers
- Probate and Estate Administration
- Insurance policy verifications
#4: Choosing a funeral director
A funeral director is a person who will lead in organizing the funeral arrangements. From arranging the funeral events to giving moral support to the mourners’ in the funeral, this person is the helping hand in the entire funeral ceremony.
As a part of funeral planning, it is good to compare a number of local funeral directors based on the service they provide. Take a look at the following points to sort out a good funeral director in your preferred locality.
- Compare the prices
- Check for unedited reviews
- Choose a funeral director from a good funeral service
- Look out for a registered funeral director
- Qualifications and payment options available
- Reputation of services
#5: Choice of Funeral plan
Now to the final and vital part of planning a funeral service, which is nothing but the choice of funeral service company. While going through the number of above-said points, it may sound that finding a good funeral service is a tough job. But in fact, there are many good funeral service companies available with affordable price plans.
These funeral homes offer multiple funeral plans based on the client’s requirements and needs. The services catered can also include
- Prepaid funeral plans: These prepaid funeral plans are made for people who wish for a proper funeral and reduce the efforts for their own or loved one’s funeral ceremony.
- Direct cremation plans: In case of unexpected death events, the direct cremation plans are available. This plan offers an end-to-end service from collecting the deceased, carrying out the cremations/burials, and handing over the ashes to the concerned person.
- Writing will and Legal advice: Apart from the main funeral event, good funeral homes offer services for legal proceedings for the deceased. Online will service is one of the most sought after services as it includes simple procedures and methods for writing a will.
To conclude, planning a funeral service is a way to give a proper farewell and to honor the life of the person we loved. Moreover, every life on earth deserves a happy send-off.
