How to Choose a Funeral Home

Whether you’re pre-planning a funeral or are dealing with the unexpected death of a loved one, choosing a funeral home can be a difficult decision. While you may have used a particular funeral home in the past, it can be a costly decision to neglect to do your research. Here’s a brief guide on how to find the best funeral homes that offer the services you’re looking for at prices that work within your budget.

Set a budget

Funeral homes vary widely in the services they provide and the prices they charge. The first step in choosing the right funeral home for a service should be to discuss a budget with your family and loved ones. Determine what you’re willing to spend without hardship. Many people, especially those who are facing the sudden death of a loved one, simply accept the funeral home’s price, then scramble to come up with the necessary funds. Instead, plan ahead and determine how your budget can fit all your preferences related to final arrangements.

If you’re planning on behalf of a family member, friend or any other special person in your life, be sure to follow their wishes on final arrangements as closely as possible. Refer to written instructions when available, and look for any documents that will help with the decision-making process.

Determine final preparations

Whether you’re pre-planning a funeral or planning for someone else, one of the most important decisions you’ll make involves final disposition. You generally have two choices: traditional burial and cremation. Keep in mind that traditional burial is typically more expensive than cremation.

Compare prices

Funerals can be costly, so it’s important to stick to your budget to avoid overspending. When selecting a funeral home, do your research and shop around for prices. A good place to start is at your local Funeral Consumers Alliance, which should have a survey of prices in your area. If you can’t find a price survey, do some investigating and call funeral homes directly to gather prices. Remember that it’s not always best to go with the cheapest option. Instead, choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

Visit your top candidates

The last step in the process of choosing between funeral homes is by visiting your top candidates. It’s helpful to bring a friend or family member along with you for support, and potentially to help you make decisions. It’s wise to bring a list of specific questions you have and choose an option that not only offers the services you want at the right price, but also one that features a compassionate staff that is sensitive to your particular values or religious needs.

Planning a funeral or memorial service is a difficult yet necessary process. Whether you’re planning for yourself or on behalf of another, reputable funeral homes are at your disposal to help you make some of the tough choices while following your budget. Contact ICS Cremation & Funeral Home for compassionate assistance with any part of the process of determining final arrangements for yourself or a loved one.

Categorised in: Funeral Homes

This post was written by Writer