Funeral planning is emotional and stressful. Whether pre-planning your own or planning a service for a loved one, a step-by-step guide can help ease the process. First, inform the family and friends of the deceased. Second, choose an appropriate funeral home, and whether to cremate or bury. Arrange service details, handle legalities, write an obituary, organize transportation, and select memorial items. Finally, plan a gathering to provide comfort and support.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Funeral
Below is a simple funeral planning guide for this challenging process.
Inform Loved Ones
The first step in planning a funeral is notifying the nearest relatives and friends of the deceased’s death. This is normally done via phone calls or messages, but some prefer to do it via a social media message or a formal obituary. It’s important to provide support during this time of grief and ensure that everyone who needs to be informed is notified.
Choose a Funeral Home
Choosing a reputed funeral home is essential. Funeral directors will assist you and provide suggestions and expertise. It’s a good idea to compare services and fees to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Decide on Burial or Cremation
Determine if the deceased had a preference for burial or cremation. This could be based on religious belief, personal belief, or what they have stated. Knowing their preference will inform much of the decisions that must be made.
Plan the Type of Service
Select the service type. Options include full funerals, memorial services, or celebrations of life. Try to choose the most appropriate for the deceased and loved one’s personality and needs.
Arrange the Ceremony Details
Once the type of service has been determined, arrange the details:
- Location: Choose a location such as a place of worship, a funeral home, or a landmark.
- Officiant: Choose a person to perform the ceremony, e.g., clergy or a close friend.
- Readings and Music: Choose suitable readings, poems, or songs.
- Speakers: Identify people who will deliver eulogies.
Handle Legal and Financial Matters
Legal and finance issues need to be resolved:
- Death Certificate: Get a few duplicates from the relevant authorities.
- Will and Estate: Locate the will and contact the executor to handle the assets and liabilities of the deceased.
- Inform Institutions: Notify banks, insurance companies, and government institutions about the death.
Handling such issues correctly involves meeting legal standards and ensuring easy transfer of properties.
Write and Publish an Obituary
Create an obituary to announce the death and provide notice of the service. Include a brief biography, greatest accomplishments, and details on surviving family members. Publishing the obituary in local newspapers and websites notifies the community and honors the deceased.
Arrange Transportation
Organize transportation of the deceased and visitors:
- Hearse: Arrange the transportation of the deceased to the burial site and service venues.
- Family Vehicles: Organize transportation for family members, especially from out of town.
Providing safe transportation makes it easy to implement the activities of the day.
Choose Memorial Items
Select products that are permanent remembrances:
- Headstones or Markers: Select a design and wording appropriate to the deceased’s personality.
- Urns: If cremation is the choice, select an urn for the ashes.
- Keepsakes: Consider jewelry or some other keepsake that holds a part of the ashes or a fingerprint.
These memorials provide a tangible connection to the deceased.
Plan a Reception or Gathering
Have a reception after the service where the guests can sit back and comfort each other. Decide on the venue, refreshments, and any activities or memorials to organize. This collective activity is therapeutic and encourages a sense of closure.
Follow Up After the Funeral
Once the funeral is over, here are a few ways to continue supporting yourself and others through this difficult time:
- Thank You Notes: Thank participants and supporters for their presence.
- Bereavement support: Get help through counseling or support groups as necessary.
Can You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?
Yes, pre-planning your funeral is a great way to take the burden off your family. Some of the benefits of pre-planning are:
- Ensuring that your desires are fulfilled
- Lessening the financial burden on family members
- Putting things in a correct and organized manner
- Enabling relatives to concentrate on grieving rather than planning.
To preplan your funeral, you may save for it, make a will, and notify your nearest family members or funeral home of your wishes.
Conclusion
Planning a funeral is a difficult but necessary task. You can create a meaningful service that honors the deceased by following the steps outlined above, such as informing loved ones, choosing a funeral home in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and deciding between burial and cremation. Additionally, handling legal matters and crafting an obituary are essential to ensure everything is managed properly.
Pre-planning your funeral can reduce stress for your family and ensure your wishes are fulfilled. Discussing your preferences and organizing the details in advance gives your loved ones clarity during a challenging time.