In the wake of a loved one's death, you will have a lot on your plate. Simply dealing with the loss you've suffered can require a lot of emotional energy. Planning a funeral can add unwanted stress, but a funeral planner can help you shoulder that burden. Here are four things a funeral planning service can do for you:
1. Recommend the right funeral home for your needs
The funeral home you choose will depend on a number of different factors. Various funeral homes charge different rates, and you may decide to pick one over another depending on your budget. Location is another factor you should take into consideration. If you plan to have a large funeral with many people in attendance, you may want to pick a location that's easily accessible for the greatest number of people. Funeral planners have had experience organizing many funerals for many families. Allow them to guide you with their expertise when it comes to choosing a venue.
2. Help you plan in advance
Planning a funeral in advance is a way to take stress out of the equation. After a loved one dies, you have a short amount of time to plan the funeral with a funeral planner. If you plan a funeral in advance, you will have all the time you need to discuss the options. Some people like to be involved in the decision-making process for their own funerals. Being involved in the process can put them at ease, and they can rest assured knowing their wishes will be respected. You can also decide to pay for the funeral in advance, which can reduce your family's financial burden in the future.
3. Make cremation or burial arrangements
After your loved one dies, their body will be taken to a funeral home. Depending on your loved one's final wishes, you can choose to have their body cremated or embalmed. Your funeral planner can make the arrangements for either process. They can also help you pick out a casket, arrange a viewing service, and schedule a burial.
4. Decide on a menu
Traditionally, refreshments are served at a reception following the funeral. In addition to the practical considerations relating to the body of your loved one, you will also need to take catering into account. A funeral planning service can hire caterers for you. You can let them know what sort of menu you'd like to have, as well as any dietary restrictions you'd like to observe, and they will do the rest. Whether you plan to serve a full meal or just light snacks, they can take care of everything.
Funerals and death make many people uncomfortable, and asking questions about funerals can seem like a faux pas. You may find yourself wondering why bodies are embalmed, or what the advantages of cremation are — but where do you find answers?
You can find them here. We are not afraid to talk about death and dying, and we seek to offer the information everyone needs to know when planning or attending a funeral. You're going to feel a deep sense of loss whenever you lose someone close to you, but being able to prepare for and attend their funeral with confidence will at least make things a little easier in your period of grief.