Saying goodbye to a beloved family member is no easy task. While grieving can be an emotional experience, planning a funeral also requires some practical considerations. Keep these five tips in mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead of you. Not only will they help make the process easier, but they’ll also ensure that your loved one’s final farewell is done in accordance with their wishes and within your budget.
Set Your Budget
Funerals are expensive, so it’s essential to set your budget early on and stick to it. Discuss costs, such as casket rental fees, floral arrangements, obituary printing costs and other services like limousine rental or catering after the ceremony. Knowing how much money you have available will help you make informed decisions about what type of service would be best for your family member.
Choose The Right Funeral Home
The next step in planning a funeral is to choose the right funeral home. Ask around for recommendations or do research online to find one that fits your needs and budget, and make sure you have time to visit each facility before making a decision. Once you’ve chosen the funeral home, discuss all your options with the funeral directors—from cremation services to burial arrangements—and determine what is best for you and your loved one.
Choose Services That Reflect Your Loved One’s Personality
When thinking about what type of service best reflects your loved one’s personality, consider whether they had any religious affiliations or preferred types of music or readings that could be included in their service. If they were avid sports fans, consider creating a memory board with photos from their favourite teams or players; if they were avid readers or had favourite books, perhaps incorporate passages into the service or ask guests to bring their own copies of those books as memorial gifts.
Create An Obituary
Creating an obituary is another essential part of planning a funeral. It serves as both a keepsake and remembrance of your loved one’s life story while informing others about when and where services will take place. Seek out friends and family members who may know details about your loved one that could help create an accurate obituary; this information can then be used by newspapers or printed out on cards handed out during services or mailed out afterwards.
Consider Burial Options
Finally, consider your burial options. If you’ve chosen a traditional burial service, there are various types of caskets and gravesites to choose from. You may also want to discuss with the funeral director any special markers or decorations that can be placed at the gravesite as a way to commemorate your loved one. Or, if you’ve chosen cremation, you may want to talk about what type of urns and special mementos can be used to honour the deceased.
Following these tips can help make the difficult process of planning a funeral easier for those left behind. With proper planning and preparation, you can ensure that your loved one is remembered in the way that best honours their life and legacy.
