Dealing with the emotions that come with death is always difficult. Whether it’s losing a loved one or preparing for your final days, there’s a lot to be taken into account. Amidst the chaos of the emotional roller coaster, it’s understandable how you may feel completely lost regarding the funeral arrangements. To ease some of your burdens, here are simple and practical steps you can take to finalize your funeral preparations.
Know Who to Call First
If you’ve just received the unfortunate news of a loved one dying, it’s important to know the first steps you should take, despite the shock you’re experiencing. If the death had been sudden, unexpected, or of an unknown cause, you’ll have to call local law enforcement to investigate the cause of death. If the cause of death is clear, you should call a medical examiner to announce the time of death – given that the deceased passed away in a hospital. Next, you’ll alert the deceased’s legal representative and family members.
Check for Prearrangements or Wishes
It’s common for people to have specific wishes regarding their funeral. In this case, check for any pre-arrangements stated by the deceased in their will and make sure to carry their wishes accordingly. People have different wishes and belief systems; holding a memorial service or a fancy funeral may not be everyone’s desires. So don’t start planning what you believe is common and, instead, check for pre-arrangements or ask their family members about their wishes.
Arrange for the Funeral
Once you’re clear on the deceased wishes, it’s time to start preparing for the funeral. There are a few steps you’ll take to ensure optimal preparations, and they go as follows.
Contact Funeral and Memorial Service Providers
Honoring the deceased can be done in many ways, but most people like to hold a ceremony and honor them in the presence of all family members, friends, and acquaintances. If a funeral or a memorial is what you’re looking for, then it’s best to take the advice of the people at Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory and search for a service provider who can customize the service according to your wishes. Furthermore, professional service providers can offer you more options, such as burial and cremation services.
Publicize the Funeral
Once the memorial is planned for and the date is set, publicize the funeral, so all caring ones can attend and pay their respects. In addition to contacting family members, you’ll want to invite friends and good acquaintances as well. Publicizing the funeral on social media platforms can also prove beneficial and reach the most people.
Cover Expenses
Depending on the scale of the funeral and the materials required, you can expect to endure different costs. If the deceased had already made pre-arrangements, then you’ll probably find a share in their will for covering funeral expenses. Otherwise, you can decide to pay from personal savings, donations, insurance, funeral financing options, or using credit cards.
Arrange a Speech
If you’ve been left in charge of the funeral, then you’re definitely someone who had a close relationship with the deceased. That comes with the responsibility of sharing a few good words about them. If you’re preparing for your own time of departure, then it’s worthwhile to leave a speech or a biography behind to be read out loud for those you care about.
Open Donations or Prepare Flowers
People show their love and support in different ways, so open a way for them to show how they care. Many people opt for getting flowers, which is a good option. However, if you want to carry out some of the deceased wishes or you’re looking for a good cause to start in their name, then you can open a donation account in their name and alert people to it.
Determine Final Disposal Form
Most funerals and memorials are arranged so that the physical body can be seen intact during the session. However, that’s not the only normal. Others choose to bury the body first, cremate it and hold the remains in the memorial, or preserve it chemically. Whatever happens at the funeral, the final form of the body is usually decided afterward. You’ll have to choose between traditional burying using caskets or tombs, green burials, cremation, chemical preservation, or other disposal options.
Get Affairs in Order
Finally, it’s time to address the affairs of the deceased. This involves contacting their estate lawyer, gathering family members, and carrying out their will. In case they have open affairs, such as filing death notice to employers and other involved personnel, then these should be addressed as well.
Arranging for a funeral can feel overwhelming, especially in the heat of the moment. To take it one step at a time, start with making the first-call to the proper people. Next, get familiar with the deceased wishes by checking for pre-arrangements, after which you’ll arrange for the funeral accordingly. You’ll also have to determine the final disposal form. Once the funeral settles down, it’s time to get their affairs in order.