Funerals are very momentous for many people. Although they are sad occasions, the goal is to celebrate a person’s life in many cases. In order to honor the person properly, it is best to put all of the planning into this occasion that it deserves. With the current pandemic, there have been many times where large gatherings were not advised, including funerals. One solution to this would be live streamed funerals. This is one way that you could have all of the deceased’s loved ones there without violating social distancing rules.
If you are responsible for what is going to be done with the remains, the cost is unfortunately a concern in many cases. It’s perfectly normal to have questions about the cremation burial cost, dignity memorial cremation cost, and direct burial cost, among other things. You may also be interested in where you can find a discount funeral home. Even though money is the last thing on people’s minds after a loved one has died, these are unfortunately things that need to be taken into account.
Losing a loved one is also a difficult time for the affected party. The emotional toll it can have makes the most basic thing a difficult task to undergo, especially sorting out the logistics of planning a funeral and having the proper funeral arrangements to make their transition as peaceful as possible. Funerals are a very significant and heartbreaking time in a person’s life that usually entails a transitional process for not only themselves but their family members; it’s essential to have a strong support system to help guide them through this emotional time.
Steps To Planning A Funeral
Funerals and memorial services provide an opportunity for friends and family members to come together as a collective to remember the deceased and gather together to honor and remember their life. Having a well-planned and organized funeral director makes all the difference while offering comfort and support to those closest to the deceased. Whether death was impending or abrupt, quality funeral services should be able to provide top-tier professionalism and understanding of all situations. Typically, if a loved one’s death is planned and known, there should be funeral pre-arrangements made by the funeral director to allow friends and family to pay their respects with an ease of mind about the process.
Because planning a funeral for a loved one is both emotionally and physically taxing process, there must be specific procedures and arrangements made in advance to ensure a smoother transition during the day of the funeral—funerals are a highly personal process that requires the person or the ones closest to them to make decisions about the process. There are even options for planning your own funeral to make the process simpler when the time comes. Many people are beginning to prefer this arrangement more because they can implement their memorial service ideas and decisions, instead of a funeral director or friends and family arranging it. Research conducted by AARP shows that one in three people have engaged in funeral pre-planning; one in four people have placed down payments on their funerals in advance—people want their funeral to be memorable and an accurate depiction of their lives, from the casket to the banquet of flowers.
Planning The Logistics
Depending on the type of funeral services, there are different options the funeral director will offer for your loved one’s final rest.
Burial is the most common and traditional form. There are options for burials below ground, and above ground in a mausoleum or sepulcher. Typically, people choose this option because it’s the most traditional and offers options for funeral caskets.
Natural or ‘Green’ Burial is gradually becoming a popular option for those looking to minimize their impact of the environment after death. Considering over 2 million people die in the U.S alone every year, more people are turning to this option for their final rest.
Cremation services are ideal for people who don’t wish to have a traditional funeral or burial, or under circumstances can’t have a proper burial. Many funeral homes have noticed an increase in cremation because it’s a minimal process that only required the funeral director. There is also an array of cremation urns to choose from.
Alkaline Hydrolysis is considered a relatively new process for burial; it’s an alternative cremation method that entails pressure and low-heat to reduce a body to inert liquid and bone fragments. Many funeral homes may not offer this process since it’s so new but be sure to consult with a funeral director about the options you have.
Planning a meaningful service can be extremely difficult because of all the unique and personal qualities it must encompass of the newly deceased—you want to make sure the service is an accurate depiction of their life, and religious or spiritual beliefs they possessed to pay proper respects. Families usually consult with the funeral director and funeral home about what they desire the service to have (I.e., religious readings, music, secular or non-religious services, private or public locations) It’s important to have a general outline of what you want before solidifying arrangements. Some ideas for memorial service should also have a personalized touch to it, such as the type of readings, pallbearers, officiants, and eulogist.