If you are ever given the task of helping to organize a funeral for a friend or family member, you might be confused about what is involved. Almost every adult has attended a funeral at some point in their lives. However, attending and being active in the planning are quite different. This is why it is ideal to familiarize yourself in advance with the inner workings of the planning process. Some individuals are proactive and plan their funerals. These arrangements usually include the funeral home they intend to use and a lawyer might also be a part of the planning to ensure that no one attempts to override the plan.
Planning a funeral while grieving can be difficult. The following points identify key things to keep in mind in preparation for a funeral.
Choice of Casket and Personal Effects
If the deceased does not make any plans, a casket will need to be selected. It is possible to have a funeral for a cremated individual. In this scenario, an urn would need to be selected. A casket rental can also take place for the purpose of body viewing. A cremation can be performed after the services. Personal effects are the clothing and things, such as jewelry, books, etc., that are sentimental to the deceased.
Choice of Ceremony and Burial Location
Many funeral homes today have chapels. Deceased individuals who are members of religious organizations usually have their services held at the location they attend. When a large number of attendees are expected, funerals might be held at locations that can accommodate the anticipated number of attendees. The burial location may be at the cemetery of a religious organization or public cemetery. Urns are typically not buried. The remains are returned to the family when the cremation is completed.
Family Visitation and Wake
This occurs at a time and place designated by the family when they will receive visitors. The visitation and wake can occur simultaneously or at different times. The wake is a time for individuals to view the body of the deceased per the family wishes or the preplanning of the deceased. Individuals who do not plan to attend the services can use this time to pay their final respects and sign the guestbook.
Funeral Service and Committal Ceremony
This represents what occurs on the day of the funeral. The committal is the part of the service following the funeral when the burial occurs. Family and friends retreat to the burial site.
Reception or Repast
This is the final part of the funeral process. It may be open to anyone, funeral attendees only, or family and friends only. It usually involves food and fellowship.
A funeral home director is a good resource to use for additional pointers on planning and preparing for a funeral. They can offer industry insights and ensure that you do not overlook any details.
When my dad passed away, it was really a relief for our family. Although that might seem strange, he suffered with cancer for so long that we were really looking forward to him not being in pain anymore. We started thinking about everything we wanted to do for his funeral, but we didn't quite know where to start. After thinking about the prospect of his service, we finally decided it would be nice to choose a memorial that he would like. We worked with his friends and our extended family to create a great event, and I was amazed with how beautiful the service was.