Planning the funeral of a loved one can be an incredibly stressful experience. On top of all of the organisation issues you have to deal with, you also need time to sit with your grief. In all of that emotional confusion, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to do.
We’re here to help. Read on for our guide on the most important things to remember when planning a funeral:
Make It Personal
A funeral isn’t just a chance to say goodbye to someone you loved, it’s a chance to honour their final wishes. Take note of any wishes they had made known regarding their funeral. How did they wish their remains to be handled? Did they want certain music to be played at their funeral?
Even if your loved one didn’t make their wishes known to you personally, be sure to be thorough. The departed often leave details of their final wishes behind in their will or other post-mortem documentation.
Sometimes, however, death can come as a surprise. Often enough, there quite simply are no final wishes to honour. That’s okay as well. Celebrating the life of someone you lost can be as simple as playing a song you both loved at the funeral and as poignant as celebrating who they were in life.
Budget For Your Funeral Plan
The cost of a funeral can outpace some people if they don’t keep an eye on it. Make sure that you properly budget your funeral plan before moving forward with any big financial decisions.
Schedules
Keep how long you have to plan the funeral in mind as well as when you’d like it scheduled.
Make sure that your funeral plan is realistic and can be fulfilled in the time your have before the burial. Pre-planned funerals are an excellent choice if you are forewarned of your loved one’s passing, but are not always an option. If you are unsure, talk to your funeral planner about what can be done in the time you have to do it.
Keep in mind that evening and weekend services are usually more convenient as it is less likely to clash with the attendees’ work schedules. At the same time, these time slots are in higher demand and may be booked up or come at a higher cost. Also, keep in mind the religions of your attendees, as their faith may affect their availability as well.
Plan For The Funeral’s Location
Your loved one’s funeral location is important. Take the time to consider where it will take place. A church, or the departed’s house of worship? A popular beauty spot? Some may even choose to have the service take place on their or the departed’s own property. Regardless of where you may choose, consider the logistics. Make sure that it is accessible to all invited guests and funeral staff in attendance. Be sure that you and only you have booked the space if needed.
You
The idea of planning for yourself may seem a little silly or even selfish, but it very much isn’t. This is a difficult time for you and it’s important to take the time to acknowledge that. If things feel too much and you feel that you need to step away, then do so. Nobody who cares about you is going to deny that you have a right to your grief. Whatever you need to do to work through your grief, do it.
If that means stepping away from the funeral planning process for a time and letting your funeral planner take a more direct hand in the planning process, then that’s fine. That’s what they’re there for, after all.
