All About Funerals » Funeral Planning

What is Most Important?

Advocate — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:18:25 +0000

Planning a funeral can seem overwhelming–all the details to take care of when what you may want most is to be left alone, or stay in bed and grieve. No one should feel the need to take responsibility for every detail, every part of the funeral plan.

Let yourself focus on just one thing at a time.
Let your family and friends help. Break up the tasks that need to be done to plan the funeral and assign them. Friends can help select funeral flowers, a brother or sister can be in charge of the eulogy, another family member the funeral readings…
Let the funeral director take care of as much as possible. The funeral director handles the majority of funeral arrangements, processing the death certificate and permits, transporting the deceased, and coordinating arrangements for the funeral service and cemetery burial. A funeral directory advises and guides on other funeral issues including the casket, flowers, music, and readings.

Breaking tasks up into manageable pieces and having everyone do their part will help a family plan a funeral without being overwhelmed. If you need help dealing with your loss, check our resources for help.

Alternative Funerals: Not so alternative?

Advocate — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:13:49 +0000

An alternative funeral can be any funeral or memorial service that is non-traditional, any funeral that isn’t a casketed body at a faith based funeral followed by burial. Alternative funerals include cremation, green funerals, and memorial services, to name a few. If you are considering planning a less-than-traditional funeral, find ideas here: http://www.funeralhomeresource.com/article/alternative-funerals-no-longer-uncommon.html.

Funeral Parlor

Advocate — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:53:19 +0000

Ever wondered just what a funeral parlor is? Our staff writer has put together an excellent article that you can read here.

Funeral Parlor

Don’t miss another one of our great articles on Funeral Planning and the Funeral Director. Read this article here:

Funeral Director and Funeral Planning

Funeral Checklist

Advocate — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:59:14 +0000

Being notified of the death of a close friend or family member can be devastating. I wanted to point out a link to one of the many articles on Funeral Home Resource that can make it easier to stay focused on taking care of all of the details surrounding a loss.

The Funeral Checklist provides an overview of the items you will want to consider. Find more Funeral Articles.

Funeral Home

Advocate — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:45:09 +0000

Many people ask me how they recommend I find choosing a funeral home. If you’re in a local community you can certainly rely on recommendations from others. I still recommend “interviewing” all of the local resources as this is one of the most important and memorable occasions in a lifetime and should be treated as such. Online directories, like Funeral Home Resource can provide a list of local funeral homes to make it easy to call ones that are close to you. Take notes during each of your calls and, if you can, schedule meetings in person.

Here is the link to a helpful checklist: Funeral Checklist

Can I move family members to be with me?

Advocate — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:33:08 +0000

A young man that is wisely planning in advance was surprised to learn that we can have his Father brought over from Germany. There are a few things that will need to be taken care of but most Funeral Directors, like myself, have experience with the “transportation” of family members.

Talk to your licensed Funeral Director to learn more.

Do Funeral Homes Handle Cremation

Advocate — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:11:30 +0000

Yes. Funeral Homes, Mortuaries, and Funeral Chapels all handle cremation. A funeral home, mortuary or funeral chapel may not have the equipment to handle a cremation on premises but will have a contact with a cremation company that can handle the entire cremation process.

Funeral Homes, Mortuaries, and Funeral Chapels can explain all your options available to you. Although cremation may be less expensive than the average funeral there is many options available and one must look at the arrangements as two. What are your options before one is cremated and what are your options after the cremation is completed.

As with any funeral home arrangements, one must choose which funeral home to handle the arrangements for them. I recommend a funeral home that you can trust and feel comfortable with the funeral director who will be handling all the arrangements. I also recommend pre arrangements or prepaying your funeral in advance and expressing your wishes to your funeral home of choice.

Do Funeral Homes Handle the Obituary?

Advocate — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:42:56 +0000

Yes. A funeral home, mortuary, or funeral chapel will handle contacting newspapers on your behalf. Most funeral homes will charge you exactly what they are charged by the newspaper. You can request to be carbon copied on the email so you will know that it has been handled exactly the way you want and to the newspapers of your choice.

Most funeral homes will also keep a copy on record should you ever need a copy and some even post them on there website.

Do Funeral Homes handle the Flowers

Advocate — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:08:43 +0000

Not always

A funeral home, mortuary, or funeral chapel may chose not to get involved in the floral transaction and focus strictly on the funeral service.

Although some funeral homes, mortuaries, and funeral chapels may be in the floral business as well so they are capable of handling the entire transaction for you.

You may be able to use the funeral home’s website to find links to local floral shops or a simple phone call to ask who the funeral home might recommend.

Do Funeral Homes handle Cremation?

Advocate — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:40:51 +0000

Yes

Funeral Homes, Mortuaries, and Funeral Chapels all handle cremation. A funeral home, mortuary or funeral chapel may not have the equipment to handle a cremation on premises but will have a contact with a cremation company that can handle the entire cremation process.