How to Make Funeral Plans for You or a Loved One

A Summary of Useful Tips and Helpful Suggestions

When we make funeral plans for a loved one, the main goal is to celebrate their life. A funeral service allows family and close friends the opportunity to assemble together and remember the bereaved, while providing an opportunity for individuals to seek comfort and support in each other. Although arranging a funeral can be a daunting and highly emotional process, there are certain measures you can take to ensure the preparations go as smoothly as possible, from the legal and financial matters to the more personal elements entailed.

The following is a summary of memorial service suggestions that may be of assistance when you are planning for a funeral, whether it is for yourself or a loved one.

• As soon as you are ready to make the funeral arrangements, be sure to thoroughly research your options – you may want to ask family members or close friends for funeral home recommendations, or you might prefer to search onlinefor facilities available in your area. No matter how you go about choosing your funeral service provider, be sure that they have a solid reputation, since you’ll be depending upon them to make many crucial decisions during a very emotional time for you and your family.

• One key thing to keep in mind when planning a funeral for someone else is to honor the deceased’s wishes as well as those of the survivors. In addition, it’s important to note that some individuals feel more comfortable taking on certain roles within the funeral-planning process – everyone grieves in their own way, and it’s essential to respect people’s boundaries as far as what they are capable of contributing, whether it be from a financial, physical or emotional perspective.

TIP: When you are ready to prepare for a funeral, it’s helpful to have a checklist of requirements to streamline the process. Keep in mind that it's better to have a professional funeral agent or director manage this process for you.

• Arrange a meeting between the deceased’s next of kin so that you may discuss your family’s preferences; if the bereaved has left behind specific funeral instructions, be sure to incorporate them into your plans. If you are pre-planning your own funeral, be sure to alert family members where you will keep this information for future reference. It is also crucial to determine your family’s budget for the funeral ceremony, whether it is for yourself or a loved one. You’ll also want to discuss whether or not the funeral service will be religious or otherwise.

• Next, you will want to choose a funeral provider to assist you with the details – whether you go to a local funeral parlor or search online for assistance with funeral arrangements, the staff will be able to assist you with all of the specifics, including how the human remains will be transported, where to find a casket or flower arrangements, the legal paperwork involved, and other elements needed to create a memorial service. In addition, you may also wish to consult with a religious leader should the ceremony require a mass; they can also provide you with additional information about the process, since religious members of the community are familiar with the rituals associated with a funeral.

• Finally, you’ll want to coordinate all of the details – such as who will perform the eulogy, what type of music will be performed at the service, obituary details and so forth – with the funeral home of your choice. Speak with your funeral director about arranging transportation of the deceased, bringing the coffin to the burial site, or any other particular specifications you’ll need.