A death within the family, or even a close family friend, can be a very emotional time and for many individuals the arrangements for a burial or cremation have been left to close family to organise as the departed has not pre-arranged a service.
So Where Do You Start?
Talk about options available to you with your local funeral home. Either a cremation or burial can be performed, and commemorative services for either will also need to be arranged. Talk about the choices available to you and sit down with other family members to see what their suggestions are. The departed may well have told somebody what types of music they want played or what their personal preferences are over a cremation or burial.
It is essential when arranging either a burial or cremation service that as many people help out as possible. There is certainly lot’s to arrange from cars and flowers to hymns and headstones and allocating certain tasks of the funeral planning to members of the familywill reduce the stress and pressure on only one person.
Due to the increasing cost of headstones and burial plots, the cost of a traditional funerals has risen significantly over the last ten years or so and if funeral expenses have been left to close family then the majority will choose cremation over a traditional burial as they are simply far more cost effective and a service, similar to a burial service can still be held.
Remember that grieving for a family member or loved one is a very sad time and for many people, being left to organise the funeral stops them from grieving properly so it is vital that you discuss burial preferences with people especially if they are elderly or ill so when their time does eventually come close family know exactly what to do.