Taking on the funeral arrangements for a family member or close friend is both an honor and a big responsibility. Let’s take you step by step through the process and what can be expected. You’ll learn some of the steps you will need to take and the decisions to be made.
Determine Who Is Heading the Planning
In many cases, the executor of the deceased estate takes the lead in planning funeral arrangements. This is generally because so many decisions have financial ramifications that the estate will be responsible for.
Wishes of the Deceased’s
A first priority should be determining if the deceased has taken any steps in pre-planning their funeral.
Keep in mind that pre-planning can range from a detailed plan that has been paid in advance to a few simple notes of dos and don’ts or special wishes.
Discuss Arrangements with Family and Close Friends
This can help you determine the day, date, and times of final services and even gather ideas for what should be included in the service.
Cremation or Traditional Burial?
It will be necessary to decide whether the deceased will have a traditional burial or cremation. This may have been mentioned in casual conversations.
Keep in mind that cremation offers more flexibility and can be more affordable than a traditional burial.
When making the choice between cremation and traditional burial, keep in mind you can still have visitation hours and even an open casket prior to cremation. Cremains can also still be buried in a cemetery plot.
Writing the Obituary
As plans are being formalized, an obituary will need to be crafted to be published in the newspaper, online sources, and the funeral home’s website. Family details and accuracy are absolutely crucial.
Details can include:
- Name and/or nickname of the deceased
- Birthdate
- Date of death
- Cause of death (optional)
- Personal interests
- Surviving relatives
- List of close relatives who preceded them in death
- Public funeral details
An obituary can be written by anyone with writing experience who is close to the family. A funeral director can also assist in the crafting and submission of an obituary.
Notify Close Friends and Relatives
Before a death is made public, it can be a courtesy to notify close friends and relatives of the death and pending arrangements. This can be a tough task and should be delegated to those closest to the deceased.
Comparing Funeral Services
Depending on whether cremation or a traditional burial is chosen, it will trigger a chain of additional potentially expensive choices. There may be a cemetery plot, casket, vault, headstone, embalming, an urn, and more. Like all financial decisions, you may wish to compare.
Keep in mind, comparing is more than just price-related. Compare experience, services, locations, reputation, and willingness to serve.
A funeral director should also be able to assist with Social Security and veterans programs, including if the deceased may be eligible for a free plot in a national cemetery. They should be able to facilitate getting and providing copies of the death certificate.
Perhaps most important, they should be able to deliver on final services that are personal, respectful, within budget, and of which the family can be proud.
Reach Out to Fares J. Radel Funeral Homes and Crematory
Fares J. Radel Funeral Homes has been serving families in Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area for generations. We offer deeply religious and traditional services to joyous celebrations of life. We can even specialize services for sports fans.
If you have questions, we invite you to reach out to us. We would be honored to serve you.
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