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How to Arrange a Funeral for a Loved One

A Helpful Guideline for Planning Catholic Funerals, Jewish Funeral Services, Buddhist Funeral Ceremonies & More

Funeral Agent provides support for every religion and denomination. We also provide secular funerals and take special care to abide by the strict guidelines, customs & traditions you request. Below are just a sampling of the many types of religious and secular funerals, cremations and other services that we provide.

When you are faced with making funeral arrangements for a loved one, it can often be a painful and difficult task. Many times, families are unprepared or have many questions about the process of planning funerals. Whether you are arranging a Catholic ceremony, a Jewish funeral service, a Muslim burial or a Buddhist funeral rite, there are certain things you will want to keep in mind. The following checklist may be of assistance to you and your family when planning for a funeral.

  • Gather the deceased’s personal information in order to prepare an obituary
  • Research local funeral homes and choose a funeral service provider
  • Depending on the religious or cultural traditions of the deceased, decide upon burial or cremation
  • Select an appropriate casket or cremation container based on your personal preference and budget
  • Decide where the funeral will be held and what type of funeral service will be most appropriate
  • Discuss with family members when and where the visitations will take place
  • If your loved one will be buried (particularly if there will be an open casket), decide what the deceased will wear
  • Choose music appropriate for the funeral ceremony
  • Decide upon literature to be read at the funeral; if eulogies will be read at the funeral service, choose family members or friends to do so
  • Make transportation arrangements (such as a funeral coach, clergy car, limousine for the immediate family, and so forth)
  • Select a clergy member or officiator of ceremonies to conduct the funeral
  • Decide who will be the pallbearers if it will be a graveside service
  • If the deceased has not already specified, choose a cemetery, along with a burial or cremation plot
  • Once the information has been gathered, submit the obituary to the appropriate local newspapers, etc.

If you have other questions (such as how to apply for a death certificate, burial permit and other paperwork), your funeral director can assist you with this phase of the planning. It is also worth noting that if you are preplanning your own funeral arrangements, it’s helpful to specify your wishes to your next of kin beforehand to be certain your final wishes are met. In addition, you’ll alleviate your loved ones of some of the emotional and financial burdens associated with making funeral plans – by taking care of the details in advance, you’ll prevent your family from having to make difficult decisions during a time of mourning.