If you’re planning a funeral, you know that the best way to get through it is to plan well in advance and take care of all the details.
You can do this yourself or hire a funeral director. In either case, there are several things you’ll want to do to make sure your loved one’s service goes off without a hitch.
#1 Call the Funeral Home
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, a funeral will cost you around $7,848 on average. This includes the cost of the funeral home. Funeral homes often offer a 24-hour hotline for those who need immediate assistance.
In addition to providing other contact information, they can answer questions about their services and costs, as well as how long it takes for an individual to arrange a funeral.
As reported by Forbes, funeral homes were not doing that great financially during the pandemic. With the pandemic situation now getting better, things have improved for these service providers. Now, you can expect them to provide the best possible service to you and your loved ones.
#2 Make Funeral Arrangements
The funeral director is your go-to for all the arrangements. They will help you with the paperwork and assist with selecting a casket, headstone, flowers, and music for the ceremony. Most importantly, they will guide you through this difficult time by providing support and listening to your wishes.
In some cases, you might want to do that on your own. However, that means you’ll have to learn how to manage time properly.
Don’t forget the hearse. The Everplans website highlights hearse rental prices to be around $175-$400. It only covers the cost of the car carrying the funeral. You’ll have to pay extra if you want to add more cars to the convoy.
#3 Notify Family, Friends, and Acquaintances
In addition to the immediate family, you will want to notify others who are close to the deceased. This could include friends and acquaintances, as well as other family members. In many cases, this step is one of the most difficult for families because it forces them into making decisions about what kind of funeral service they want and how much money they will spend on it.
#4 Contact the Priest, Minister, or Rabbi
Asking a clergy member to conduct a funeral service can be intimidating, so it’s important to know how to properly approach the situation.
Be yourself in this situation. You’re probably nervous about asking, but don’t let that show in your voice or body language. Also, don’t beat around the bush. Tell them who died and ask if they’d like to consider conducting the service at your decided time.
#5 Purchase a Headstone
There are many options to consider when purchasing a headstone, including how much money you want to spend, where you want it made, whether or not you want engraving on the stone and what kind of material should be used for engraving.
You can buy a headstone online by clicking here. The price range varies greatly depending on the materials used and whether or not customization is required. However, you don’t have to worry about these headstones being too expensive. They are priced appropriately so that anyone can afford them.
#6 Make an Appointment with a Florist
Take time to select flowers that will be appropriate for the occasion. The florist can help you select flowers that will suit your loved one’s personality and fit your budget.
If a casket spray is desired, speak with the florist about what type of arrangement would be appropriate for the funeral service. A casket spray is a large wreath or bouquet of flowers that adorn the top of a casket during burial services.
It needs to be sturdy enough not to break apart as it is carried into and out of churches and chapels during the procession down steps or ramps at various points throughout the service.
#7 Schedule the Delivery of a Casket Floral Spray
There are many places where you can order a casket spray online or through traditional florists. You can even have it made by hand if you want to give your loved one the best possible final resting place. Order your casket flower arrangement at least a couple of days prior so that it will arrive before the funeral service date. If that isn’t possible, you can always find readymade ones from nearby florists.
Although the process can be overwhelming and sad, it doesn’t have to be. With these tips in mind, you can take charge of the funeral service and rest assured, knowing that everything will go smoothly. Remember not to overload yourself with details. Keep the most important ones on top of your list and prioritize accordingly.
