Planning a funeral can be a stressful, emotional time. This is where a funeral director can come in handy, because they are there to help prepare as best you can to celebrate your loved one’s life.
While planning funeral arrangements can feel overwhelming, funeral directors do have some tips when it comes to making the process go by smoothly. Here are some secrets your funeral director wants you to know when planning a funeral.
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Caskets and urns come in a variety of prices
source: heartlandcremation.com
You shouldn’t feel like you have to spend a lot of money on a quality casket or urn. There are plenty of options available, depending on your price point. Your funeral director will be happy to work with you when it comes to your budget, so just be upfront when you go to talk about funeral plans. In addition to the casket or urn, they will be able to give you a plethora of options to choose from that fit within what you want to spend.
The best time to create funeral plans is long before you think
Creating a funeral plan for yourself is always a great idea. Not only will you have to worry less about having your wishes respected, you will take the stress off your family members. A simple consultation with a funeral director to write down what you’re thinking can work wonders in giving you peace of mind.
In addition, a funeral director can explain out some options for you. For example, they’ll give you possible costs and expectations surrounding cremation, donating your body to science, and a typical funeral with calling hours and a religious service. Asking some simple questions won’t hurt, so don’t hesitate to just go in to talk details.
Veterans get special treatment
source: taylorfamilyfuneralhome.com
If your loved one was a discharged veteran, they are allowed specific military burial rites. This includes having members of their branch of service come to the funeral home to pay their respects, having a flag ceremony at place of burial, as well as being joined by honor guard during the burial ceremony for a gun salute. All you need to prove your loved one was a veteran is to show their discharge papers to the funeral director, and they will be in contact with your local military branch to set up the honors.
There cannot be a burial underneath a tree
You may request to have your loved one be buried underneath a tree, but unfortunately this is not possible. Burials have to be within at least four feet of a tree to protect its root system, so your funeral director will keep that in mind if they help you select a location.
Cremation can be a cost-friendly option
source: neptunesociety.com
Embalming can be quite expensive, so if you and your family members do not want a calling service, there may be no need to have a full embalming and casket showing. In this case, cremation may be a good option as it can provide versatility. Of course, you are still able to have the traditional funeral aspects such as a burial and an honor guard with cremains, but this can be a method used to offset the cost.
Also, if you are not interested in a burial at all, cremation can be something to think about. This way, you are able to keep the cremains with you for your own personal memoriam. If this sounds like an option to explore, those at companies like Legacy Cremation Services can offer more guidance on the topic.
These tips, straight from funeral directors, will be able to offer you a stress-free experience when planning a funeral for a loved one.
