Steps Involved in the Funeral Planning Process

Funerals are an overwhelming and stressful time. However, even thinking of trying to plan a funeral while dealing with your own grief can send you over the edge. For most people, there are many unknowns in the funeral planning process and they don’t even know where to begin, thus in this article to help you through this difficult time we have broken down the steps to planning a funeral.

Firstly, it may seem very difficult but it is important that you contact everyone close to the deceased. The first people that you should call is immediate family members and close friends. After those closed to the deceased have been called, it is time to notify their employers, or other organizations that they are affiliated with. And the final person to contact is your insurance company; your insurer will list all the proper steps and protocol that you will follow in during the next steps.

The second step after the phone calls have been made is to consult the will. You will need to contact your lawyer and they will provide you with the will. In most cases, the preplanned funeral arrangements will be in the will and make the planning process a little easier. Hopefully, it will also mention weather the deceased wanted to be cremated or burring. It is important that you respect their wishes, even if it goes against what you believe in.

Once you have consulted the will and spoken with your insurer, it is time to start planning and deciding on a budget. It is important that you sit down and figure a number that you will be comfortable with and approach funeral homes with that number. When you are deciding on a funeral home, do lots of research. Find one that you feel comfortable with and fit within your budget.

Planning the Service

There are many aspects that go into the actual service. Below is a list of different items to remember when planning the service:

• Obituary
• Open or closed casket
• Public viewings?
• Caterers
• Flowers
• Transportation
• Casket or Urn
• Music
• Location of burial site
• What will the deceased wear
• Charitable donations

Once you have selected a funeral home and directors, everything is easy from there because they will plan the rest. You just need to tell them your expectations, and specific details that we listed above. On the day of the funeral, it will start with private visitation then a public visitation. After the visitation has taken place, the service will begin. Following the service, some choose to have a reception or a celebration of life. Once the reception is finished, there is the final disposition or the funeral process, which is the transfer of the body to its final resting spot.

If you have any further questions on how to plan a funeral, please contact our funeral directors here at Thomas Gallagher Funeral Home.