Top 10 Funeral Planning Tips

Nobody expects you to do this on your own and you really don’t have to. Ask friends or family members to help you. Make a list of those who are important to you and also friends of your loved one and get in touch with them. Let them know the day and time of the funeral and any other arrangements. Also, if your loved one had carers that were looking after him/her get in touch with them too, as they may want to be at the funeral of your loved one, to pay their respects.

Receiving help from great friends will be a huge comfort to you at this time and this is why it’s at the top of our list for top 10 tips when planning a funeral.

When you need to plan a funeral for a loved one, funeral homes will guide you every step of the way. They will guide you through the whole process and will help you make the right decisions for your requirements. Funeral directors are there to take all the stress of arranging a funeral off you, they deal with funeral plan management every day, this is their expertise. They know that this is an already difficult time and they will be there to offer understanding and compassion when you need it the most. They will help you plan the best funeral that’s possible, for your loved one.

Try and find a funeral home that has a good reputation and one that has been in the business for a while. It is recommended that you interview a few funeral directors before you make your final decision. This way you can compare prices and services.  It’s so important that you have peace of mind at this difficult time and knowing that you have selected the right funeral director will provide you with this. This is why it’s second on our list for top 10 tips when planning a funeral.

Your loved one may have mentioned to you things that they wanted to have at their funeral or they may have already planned the entire funeral themselves. Did they want to be cremated or buried or maybe something else? Was your loved one religious and would they have wanted a church service? Did your loved one want to be buried with something that meant a lot to them? If your loved one did mention things to you then write them all down, and show them to your funeral director.

You will need to make quite a few copies of your loved one’s death certificate. Try and get 10 or more if it’s possible. You will need these to close any bank accounts that your loved one may have had or any other accounts. When it comes to top 10 tips when planning a funeral, this one is often forgotten, but is definitely required.

When you are planning a funeral things can very quickly become overwhelming, and stress levels run high. It’s important to try and think about your own needs at this emotional and difficult time. You will quickly be surrounded by people who want to help support you and help you with daily tasks. Let them help you as much as they can. You cannot do everything on your own and receiving help from those who care about you will allow you to feel comforted and supported at this time.

Was your loved one religious? Did they want to have a religious ceremony? If you need any assistance when it comes to rituals it’s a good idea to get in touch with your local priest, rabbi or pastor. A close friend of the family could also help you make decisions when it comes to your loved one’s religious ceremony. They may be able to suggest things that you may have not thought about and help you to get things clearer in your own mind.

The whole process of a funeral service is that you and your family get to make it as personal and as meaningful as you want it to be. This is your family’s personal time to celebrate your loved one’s life and to carry out their final wishes. A funeral can be as unique as you want it to be, to really represent your loved one’s life. Think about what your loved one will be remembered for. Did they dedicate their lives caring for others? Did they love animals? Did they love travelling? Whatever your loved one’s interests were, they can all be honoured at your loved one’s funeral.

By celebrating your loved one’s life by having a truly unique funeral you will have peace of mind, knowing your loved one’s life has been celebrated as it should have been.

People will want to pay their respects to your lost loved one. If your loved one had any wishes when it comes to a memorial, let them know. Many families decide to make donations to charities that were close to their loved one’s heart, instead of flowers. Tell them what your loved one wanted and they will be more than happy to help carry out your loved one’s last wishes.

As a consumer you have certain rights, for instance, you have the right to supply your own urn or casket to your selected funeral home. You also have the right to purchase items individually, rather than paying for a funeral package, which can be very expensive. It is highly recommended that you shop around for the best prices and never sign up to a funeral home without comparing other funeral home’s prices. Ring around a few funeral homes and ask for quotes. You could save a lot of money.

This is the last of our top 10 tips when planning a funeral but one that is necessary. As soon as you know the date and time of your loved one’s funeral you should notify your local community. Your funeral director will be able to help you with this too. If you wanted to you could also mention the details on social media, if your loved one communicated with others that way. By writing an obituary you will know that everyone who wants to be at your loved one’s funeral can be.