How to Plan a Funeral

Planning a funeral service can be a difficult task. While no one particularly likes planning a funeral, whether it’s planned after a death occurs or beforehand, a thoughtfully planned funeral or memorial service provides an opportunity to remember a friend or loved one and a way to connect with those closest to them. Here are some basic guidelines to help you as you plan a funeral service.

Determine disposition of the deceased

The first thing to do when planning a memorial service is to determine the desired form of final body disposition. This will determine some of the major expenses you’ll have to cover for the funeral. Always take into account what the deceased wanted whenever possible. You have several options, including:

• Traditional burial: Traditional forms of burial include below ground in a cemetery plot or gravesite or above ground in a mausoleum.
• Natural or “green” burial: Some cemeteries offer “green” burials, in which the deceased is buried only in a biodegradable shroud instead of a casket. This is an environmentally friendly option that also typically reduces your overall expenses.
• Cremation: The body is reduced to cremated ashes in this process, giving survivors several burial options. You can scatter the cremains, keep them, bury them below ground in an urn, place them in a columbarium and more.

Determine whether the body should be present

Burial and cremation are simply forms of final body disposition, and you can choose to have the physical body of the deceased present for the service prior to final disposition. Traditional funeral services often include a visitation or wake beforehand, with the body in an open or closed casket. This applies whether you’ve determined burial or cremation is most appropriate. It’s also common for families to cremate the deceased and hold a memorial afterward.

Determine details of the service

Personalized funeral services are increasing in popularity as a way to remember the unique life of a friend or loved one. These services can take several forms and can be held at a church, funeral home or other public or private location. Plan out how you will say goodbye, including how you’ll capture the unique qualities of the deceased person in a way that reflects their lifestyle and beliefs. Some of the details of the service you should determine include:

• Officiants: These are people who will lead the service, such as a clergy member, family member, funeral director, etc.
• Eulogists: Plan who will write and speak the eulogy for the deceased.
• Readings: It’s often recommended to read a poem, hymn or other passage that was important or meaningful to the deceased.
• Music: Determine whether you’ll have recorded or live music, and whether contemporary or traditional music is most suitable.
• Personalization: Add personal touches as you see fit, including memory boards, memorial videos, special items and more.

Planning a funeral service is a necessary step in remembering a special friend or loved one. It always helps to work with a reputable funeral home to walk you through the process step by step. Contact ICS Cremation & Funeral Home for professional, compassionate assistance as you plan a personal memorial service for someone you love.

Categorised in: Funeral Plans

This post was written by Writer