Things To Consider When Planning A Funeral
Planning a funeral is an incredibly difficult process both emotionally and mentally. There are so many things you need to plan and consider in such a short space of time and having just lost a loved one, it’s often incredibly difficult to think about. Although there are not a lot of things you can do to make the emotional pain you’re feeling any better, you can make the planning process easy on you and your family.
The best way to do that, of course, is to ask yourself a range of different questions. From when you’d like the funeral to be to who you need to invite, the more questions you’re asking the easier the whole process is going to be for everyone involved. While it’s not a topic everyone wants to think about, here are a number of things you need to consider when planning a funeral:
What Is Your Budget?
Although you may not want to think of it, every single funeral has to have a budget. Whether this is something that is being paid for by family members or the person who has passed away has a fund that is able to pay for their service, you need to be sure you know exactly how much you’re able to spend before you start to the planning process. Luckily, there are different options available for those with varying budgets.
At this stage, it may also be worth looking at how much each individual aspect of the funeral is going to cost as you may be surprised at how quickly things can add up. For a guide to the average cost of a funeral, you can visit this site here.
When Do You Want The Funeral To Be?
Next, you need to think about when you want the funeral to be. In most cases this will depend on various other aspects but for the most part, you will be able to choose a rough date. If you haven’t had to plan a funeral before, it may be worth noting that funerals tend to happen two to three weeks after someone has passed away. In other cultures and circumstances, however, this may be longer.
Who Do You Need To Invite?
Another important thing to consider is who you’re going to need to invite. The most difficult aspect of inviting everyone is that you may not have known every single person in their life in order to invite them. The best thing to do is to start with the family and friends that you do know and then do from there. Most people will know who to invite and if there is someone you have missed.
Depending on the situation, you may also be able to put an open call-out on their social media letting them know when the service is and that people are welcome to attend if they want to.
If you’re planning a funeral during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to look at the guidelines that are currently in place regarding mass gatherings. For a guide to funerals during the pandemic, you can visit this site here.
Where Will It Be?
Once you know your budget and who you’re going to be inviting, you need to think about where you want the funeral to be. In most cases, the person that has passed away will have chosen a place beforehand. If not, this is something that is going to be entirely within your control. If you’re religious, chances are it will be the place that you frequently go for religious services.
If not, there are plenty of other options for you to choose from. If you’re unsure, you may want to consider speaking a professional as they will be able to advise you on your available options.
What Kind Of Service Will You Have?
Another important thing to consider is the type of service you’re going to have. This will depend largely on the person who has passed away, however, if you do not know what they wanted then you will have to base this decision on what you think they would want. If they were religious, it’s important you’re planning the religious service they would have wanted.
Do You Need To Buy Anything?
Although you may not realise it, you have to buy a number of different things in order to allow a funeral service to run smoothly. From funeral urns to flowers, you need to be sure you have absolutely everything you need. For more information when it comes to funeral urns, you can visit this site here.
What Will The Service Consist Of?
Another important thing to consider when it comes to planning a funeral is what the service is going to consists of. Although a lot of funeral services consist of the same sections, a lot of people like to personalise these to the individual person. In some cases, people will add their own touches to a funeral in order to make it special.
If you’re unsure what a funeral service should look like, a professional will be able to help you plan. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have.
Will You Be Throwing A Wake Afterwards?
Finally, you need to consider whether or not you’re going to be throwing a wake afterwards. Although they are not necessary, it’s a great way for friends and family to share some of their favourite memories. Depending on where the funeral service is, you may need to think about a perfect location for the wake too. After all, you don’t want people to have to travel too far to get from one venue to another.
With lots of important questions to consider, you can be sure you’re as prepared as you can possibly be for the service. It’s not pleasant, but it’s essential. What else do you need to consider? Did we miss anything off of the list? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.