There is a range of considerations to think about when it comes to planning a funeral for a loved one. Even if this is something that you imagine you won’t need to do for a while, it always helps to have a few ideas and some basic knowledge in this area, to make the time less stressful. There will already be a lot to think about, so anything to make your burden lighter will make a difference. Here are some of the things that will help you through the planning process.
Check on their wishes
If you are planning the funeral for a parent, for example, then you will need to check on their wishes. They might have made some plans themselves as they got older, or have a particular venue in mind. They might want to be cremated rather than buried, which can play a part in the kind of service that you have. If you spoke to them about this, then that is great. If not, see if there are any indications in journals and so on, for what they would want.
Religious or secular
Unless you know that the person you are planning for was a member of a particular religion, you might struggle to know what kind of service that they would want. Often, if they want to be buried, then a church or religious service could be best. If they were atheist or not christened, for example, then choosing a secular service could be the best option.
Grave or cremation
Again, this is something that you will hopefully know about before planning the funeral. However, it is important to make this known to any funeral director, as it can play a part in what the service is like, as well as the costs. If it is chosen as a burial, then there are some factors at the graveside to consider, such as headstones, grave markers, or coffin plaques, much like the ones from Print a Plate. Choosing the right wording can be tricky, but once you know what you are going for, it will make the whole thing much quicker.
Music and words
There are some decisions about the service itself, and that can be from the music that is played, to the words that are spoken. The loved one that you are planning this for might have made their wishes known. If not, there are some standard choices that you can look up online for funerals, unless you want to opt for some choices of theirs that were favourites. As for words, did they have a favourite poem or wordsmith? Depending on the kind of service that you choose, you could have a friend speak, or go with the standard words of certain religious ceremonies.
There are a lot of things to think about, from transport to flowers, as well as food and drink afterwards. But with forward planning, and being open and honest with loved ones around this topic, it can make the process much simpler for all involved.
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