Tips To Help You Plan For A Loved One’s Funeral

Planning a funeral can be a long process, but if you don’t have a lot of time to spare because a loved one has passed away and you have the added pressure of time constraints, the funeral planning can be even more stressful and unnerving. That’s why many elderly individuals choose to plan their funerals in advance in order to help their children by having everything in place when they pass away.

Whether or not you choose to plan a funeral in advance, however, the same basic requirements need to be fulfilled. Continue reading to learn some tips that will help you successfully plan a funeral in a short amount of time while ensuring that all of the details will be met.

Determine How the Body Will Be Laid to Rest

The first thing that needs to be done is a determination needs to be made regarding what will be done with the body and how it will be laid to rest. Did the deceased wish for his or her body to be embalmed and buried traditionally or naturally? Or did he or she want the body to be cremated and the ashes placed in an urn within a memorial at the cemetery? Was there a request made that the ashes be scattered in a specific location?

Whenever it comes time to plan a funeral for a loved one, you have to try to recall what your loved one would have preferred. Did he or she leave specific instructions? Or did the person hint at what his or her preference for burial was at some point before the unexpected death? No matter what, try to do what the deceased would have wanted, as it is the best way to honor that person’s life.

Choose a Funeral Home

Choosing a funeral home is an important step to take if you wish to have a private viewing of the body or you want a memorial service to be scheduled to honor the deceased. Again, planning in advance can save a lot of time and frustration, but in the event that a funeral home was not booked in advance, ask for referrals from friends and family who are there to help you cope and help you make the proper funeral arrangements for your loved one. They will be able to direct you to the right funeral home based upon their experiences, and this will save you the trouble of having to research local funeral homes while you grieve and attempt to get through this difficult time.

Submit an Obituary to the Local Newspaper

Sometimes your funeral home will submit an obituary to the newspaper or at least help you write one. This is a wonderful way to honor the legacy left behind by your loved one, as well as to inform distant friends and family of the passing.

While planning a funeral, try to stay strong. You will get through this difficult time, especially with the help of your friends and family and the professionals who will ensure the funeral goes smoothly.