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What are the Best Tips for Funeral Planning?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

One of the best tips for funeral planning includes preparing a checklist before adding the decided on arrangements to your will. If you're religious, speaking with a leader in your faith who understands the customs and beliefs in regards to funeral planning can be a good idea. Most neighborhood funeral homes offer free service planning worksheets.

If you decide to have a representative from a funeral home visit you to discuss your burial or cremation plans, don't feel obligated to end up choosing that company if you don't feel comfortable with the choice. You may want to speak with directors from several different funeral homes before making your decision on which one to use. Asking neighbors about their experiences with different companies may help your funeral planning decision making.

Preparing a checklist may help ease the process of funeral planning.
Preparing a checklist may help ease the process of funeral planning.

If possible, you may want to specify the type of coffin you wish to have if you're choosing burial over cremation. Doing this can relieve your family of having to make the decision as they may feel pressured to choose something very expensive and pay the difference themselves. By including your funeral planning decisions as well as provisions for the cost of the burial or cremation as well as the service, you can help take some of the pressure off of your family after your death.

A funeral director is responsible for helping mourners make funeral arrangements for the deceased.
A funeral director is responsible for helping mourners make funeral arrangements for the deceased.

When including your wishes for your funeral in your will, you should be specific on the matters that are important to you. Being specific, but also realistic, as to the types of funeral services that are available in your area can help your family better heed your wishes at a time when they are likely to be grieving. This is why you should research and check information during your funeral planning sessions. If you update your will from time to time, you should make sure that your the plans for your funeral are up-to-date as well.

Specific people may be choosen to be pallbearers.
Specific people may be choosen to be pallbearers.

For example, if you and your spouse purchased a joint burial plot, but then became divorced, changes must be made that should be applied to your will. If you and your ex-spouse can't reach a decision about what to do about the joint plot such as who should keep it and how much money the other person should be refunded, it may have to be addressed legally in the divorce negotiations. While your funeral planning decisions shouldn't be rushed, you should have them up to date, completed and in your will.

Discussion Comments

medicchristy

Planning a loved one’s funeral is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. I recently took a course on “Death and Dying” in the social work division. One of the suggestions that our instructor gave us was to never try and plan a funeral alone. It is always best to have someone with you when you are going through such a tragic event.

Planning a funeral for a loved one can really take its toll on a person, especially if the funeral is for an immediate family member. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Our thoughts can be unclear when we are in that kind of situation. Allow someone to help you carry the burden. Funeral plans should not be made alone.

googie98

My best friend's mother recently passed away. My friend was an only child and also lost her dad a couple of years back. Planning her mother's funeral was really hard on her.

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    • Preparing a checklist may help ease the process of funeral planning.
      By: Arman Zhenikeyev
      Preparing a checklist may help ease the process of funeral planning.
    • A funeral director is responsible for helping mourners make funeral arrangements for the deceased.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      A funeral director is responsible for helping mourners make funeral arrangements for the deceased.
    • Specific people may be choosen to be pallbearers.
      By: Kzenon
      Specific people may be choosen to be pallbearers.
    • Funeral expenses typically include the cost of a hearse.
      By: mario beauregard
      Funeral expenses typically include the cost of a hearse.
    • If wanting to be buried after death, a person should specify the type of coffin they want.
      By: tomaspic
      If wanting to be buried after death, a person should specify the type of coffin they want.
    • A headstone can be the most expensive part of putting together a funeral.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      A headstone can be the most expensive part of putting together a funeral.