The death of a loved one is difficult, and handling the arrangements can be unbearable for some, but it is something that must be done. If you or the deceased belong to a church, speak with the clergy about the arrangements first. They can often provide guidance and assistance in helping you pull this all together.
Choosing A Funeral Home
Finding a funeral home to handle funeral arrangements is not difficult; every city has them, but finding one that is caring and compassionate to your needs and your budget is a matter of inquiring and asking questions. If there was an insurance policy finances may not be an issue. On the other hand, if there is no budget the family must come together and discussion how this can best be handled. Speaking with a funeral director and explaining your budget can help them plan accordingly. Many states have burial funds for the uninsured. This should be discussed to see if the family qualifies for assistance.
What Type of Service
There are several different types of service and it is mainly the preference of the family or the deceased, if they discussed this prior. Services can be simple, such as a memorial service or elaborate. The average cost of a funeral has skyrocketed up to $6,000, but this does not mean you have to spend that much. Discussion your options and determine what works for the family and the budget.
Cremation Options
If a family has chosen to cremate the remains there are options available. The deceased can be taken directly to the crematory and the family can have a simple memorial service without a viewing or they can opt to have a service at the funeral home or other location. This cuts down on the expense of preparing the deceased as well as the funeral home's fees for services provided.
Many individuals chose to have an open casket before cremation. This involves more work for the funeral director and staff as they have to prepare the deceased, get them dressed, prepare the casket, etc. Many funeral homes offer registrar books and provide thank you cards for the family at an extra cost. Even though the casket will be used temporarily, many places charge a fee for this. If this is your plan, speak with the funeral director before making your final decision on the type of services you will require.
There are also other costs incurred with cremation such as transporting the decreased to the crematory, the fees charge for the service, as well as the cost of an urn. Of course, you can provide your own with a much smaller price tag.
Traditional Service Options
Many families desire a period of time to say goodbye to their loved ones. This includes a 'wake' the day before or right before the service. The funeral home will speak with your clergy to make preparations for the service. If you do not belong to an religious organization, you can have individual speak or just have a quiet memorial service with music to say your final farewells.
What is the Funeral Director's Role
Many funeral homes do more than just help you pick out a casket or urn. Most will handle all of the paperwork, including the newspaper notices, take care of the death certificate, provide transportation to the cemetery, and flowers at your request. If you do not have a particular funeral home in mind, get referrals from others or call yourself to find a place that you feel comfortable with.
Death of a loved one is a trying time, but it is a part of life. Having someone compassionate and caring to help you get through this difficult moment in your life, will help lessen the heartache endured when loss occurs.