When a loved one dies, it can be challenging to make all necessary arrangements. This is why pre-planning a funeral can be such a helpful step. By taking care of the arrangements ahead of time, you can avoid many of the stresses that come with death. Whether it’s pre-planning your own funeral or helping a loved one pre-plan their own funeral, there are several things to have in place.
1. The Funeral Home
The first thing you will need to do is find a reputable funeral home. This can be tricky, as there are many out there. You will want to choose one with a good reputation and offers the services you need. It is important to take your time when choosing a funeral home. This is a difficult decision, and you want to make sure you are making the right choice. Talk to your family and friends, and get their input.
When you have chosen a funeral home, you must contact them to make arrangements. They can help you decide the type of service you are wanting, choose a casket, write an obituary, and make flower arrangements. Having all of these choices made in advance will allow a person’s family time to grieve their loss and take the immediate decisions off of their plate.
2. The Type of Service
Choosing the type of service comes with many options. Some people opt for a service at a church or at a funeral home while others opt for a simple graveside service. You can have a service plan laid out ahead of time featuring who you want to speak at your funeral, any readings or songs you wish to include, and where you’d like memorials to be made.
3. The Burial Site
You will also need to decide on a burial site, and many people choose to make burial arrangements with a cemetery. If you do not want the burial of the deceased to take place in a cemetery, you will need to find a spot on your property or someone else’s property that is suitable. You will also need to make arrangements with a funeral home to transport the body and bury it. Such can be expensive, so you may want to consider other options, such as cremation. It is important to make these decisions in advance, no matter what you decide. This will help ensure that your loved ones know what you want and make arrangements accordingly.
4. The Funeral Costs
Last but not least, you will need to figure out how to pay for the funeral. This can be a difficult task, but there are many options available. Many funeral homes have payment plans available especially for funerals planned in advance. By making arrangements to pay for a funeral in advance, you’ll save money since costs are always rising and take the burden off of your family when they’re in the middle of grieving.
Pre-planning a funeral can be a helpful step in dealing with the loss of a loved one. By taking care of the arrangements ahead of time, you can avoid many of the stresses that come with death. If you are considering pre-planning a funeral, make sure to consider these four important factors!
