Most people don’t want to think about their own or their loved one’s funeral, but it’s a common part of life. When a loved one passes, relatives or friends are often left scrambling to make arrangements. The result is important details can be overlooked. Even if you plan your funeral, some details need to be done you might not realize.
Funeral Planning Usually Last-Minute
If you’re planning your funeral, you have a lot of time. Family members or friends don’t have that luxury if their relative passes without a funeral plan. The relatives may only have a few days to prepare for interment.This could result in details being neglected and costs running high. People will be grieving and not thinking straight. These last-minute decisions can be costly in more ways than one.
Who Should Be Called?
If someone dies and the death was due to unknown circumstances or unattended, law enforcement should be called. This could be the case when someone passes in their home. If someone dies in the hospital, they usually, under normal circumstances, will go directly to the funeral home.You’ll also need to call the funeral home. Decide which funeral home you want to use. Whether it’s a hospital or their bedroom, you'll need to make the call. Funeral arrangements start with this.
A funeral director will help make arrangements to transfer the decedent. You may incur additional transfer fees if the deceased is being transferred to another city.
Notify all friends and family that need to know. This is a difficult task since it feels like you’re reliving the death repeatedly. But your family will appreciate it.
This is usually taken care of with a phone call. Have several people making calls so it doesn’t all fall on you.
Call the decedent’s legal representative to ensure a funeral plan wasn’t left with her.
Write Decedent’s Obituary
You’ll need to gather information about the decedent. Birth date and date of death are imperative. A list of surviving relatives like a spouse, children, or grandchildren is customary.You may also like to add details about their life story or interests.
And, finally, you’ll need funeral or memorial times and dates if it’s open to the public. State if you would like donations to go to a designated charity in lieu of flowers.
Keep in mind that newspapers charge by the length. So, unless you don’t care about a large bill, keep the information succinct. The funeral home will also have a place online to put an obituary.
Decide on Burial or Cremation
You’ll need to decide between burial or cremation. There are pros and cons to both.It used to be that the advantage of burial was that there was a gravesite to visit. And although that’s a common advantage, an urn can also be buried in a gravesite, complete with a marker.
Still, many people want a visitation where the deceased rests in a casket. But there are two ways to make this happen. One is to embalm and then bury the deceased in the traditional manner.
The other way is to rent a casket. Then, the deceased is wrapped up in the casket lining and cremated. They still must be embalmed, but you don’t have the expense of the casket.
Some religions don’t allow cremation, so traditional burial is the only option.
Budget Funeral Expenses
Funeral expenses vary wildly depending on what you want. Research and ask for quotes.According to the Federal Trade Commission’s funeral rule, a funeral director is legally required to provide you with price quotes over the phone. They must also give you a printed detailed price list when you visit.
Where Will Internment Be?
You must also decide where your loved one will be interred. Do you already have a plot, or will you need to purchase one?What Type of Service
There are several types of services to honor the deceased.Many people want a traditional service. This is a visitation along with a formal memorial service. They often will also have a graveside service.
Some people opt for a graveside service.
Cremation with a celebration of life ceremony is also an option. A memorial without the decedent present can also be held.
