The loss of those close to you is incredibly overwhelming. This is especially true when you stop to think about all of the different things to consider as you plan a loved one’s funeral. So allow us to lend a helping hand by providing you with a few simple steps that can help ease the complex and emotional process of making funeral arrangements.
The Budget You Have To Work With
Losing a loved one is difficult, to say the least. So when it’s time to start making arrangements, it’s nearly impossible to know where to begin. That said, we believe that having an idea of your funeral budget can be a helpful first step. We understand that money is likely the last thing on your mind.
But the truth is, funeral services do come with a price. There are costs involved, from floral arrangements and prayer cards to the committal service. For this reason, it’s prudent to understand what you can afford and how it aligns with how you want to honor the deceased. To illustrate, perhaps you’ve reviewed your finances. As a result, you now know your price bracket for flowers.
Well, with this knowledge, you can now start making final decisions about this aspect of your loved one’s funeral. In this way, knowing your funeral budget is a crucial step to making arrangements—and ultimately—honoring your loved one.
Whether There Were Any Prior Arrangements
Another thing to consider as you plan a loved one’s funeral is whether or not they left any arrangements made before their passing. To illustrate, the deceased might have updated their will or purchased funeral plots before their death.
Or they might have left behind clear instructions about invitations and verses about grief that they wanted to include. If this is the case, you should have any relevant documents or receipts with you when finalizing plans with a funeral home. Doing so will ensure that you’re able to celebrate the life of your loved ones according to their wishes.
How You Want To Celebrate Your Loved Ones
Of course, once you know your budget and the final wishes of your loved one, it’s time for you to make some choices about how you’d like to celebrate them. In this stage, think about the sort of things the deceased would have appreciated.
Maybe they would have liked to see a memorial display of their favorite portraits, books, and records at their service. Perhaps they would have gotten a kick out of you reading their beloved poetry or sharing hilarious anecdotes about them.
In any case, considering which elements to include in the ceremony will help to create an atmosphere that embodies who the deceased was in life. Moreover, it will allow you and everyone else in attendance to bask in the life force of your loved one once more before saying your final goodbyes.
