How To Plan The Perfect Funeral For Your Loved One

When you need a funeral director, it can be tempting to pick the first name you see. If you have experienced a recent loss in your family, you are unlikely to feel like wandering from shop to shop spending ages comparing funeral products and prices to save a few dollars. You would probably like to get the whole funeral planning process out of the way with the minimum amount of fuss. The easiest way to ensure that the funeral you are planning proceeds as smoothly as possible is to find a good funeral director to guide you through the entire process.

What does a funeral director do?

It is the role of the funeral director to care for the body of the deceased, dress the body and deal with the legal documentation to allow the cremation or burial to take place. Most funeral directors will also employ funeral arrangers to help you plan the service. They will make the necessary calls to book the church or crematorium. They can also arrange for a speaker of your choice to lead the funeral service, and they can supply pallbearers or help you manage that yourself if you prefer.

Choosing a funeral director

When choosing a funeral director, the most important thing is to find someone with whom you are comfortable. Planning a funeral is normally a sad occasion, and having someone you can work with easily and who will do everything possible to make the job easy is vital. You should check two or three different undertakers and find out exactly what they are able to offer you and what the costs will be. Start your search with any funeral directors recommended by friends or family. As a good experience in the past can often be an indication of a strong commitment to customer service, and your friends will probably have similar service expectations to you.

What to ask your funeral director

When you find a funeral director you like, prepare a list of questions to ask them. The funeral should be arranged to suit your preference, so find out what services the funeral director can offer and how they can be put together to suit your needs. Don't simply settle for a standard package but see if you can build the perfect funeral for your family. If you have any special requests, mention them as early as possible to ensure they can be accommodated within the funeral plan.

Paying for the funeral

It is important that you discuss terms of payment with the funeral director and find out what the full costs will be and when they would expect payment. Don't forget that it is the person who signs the contract with the funeral director who has the responsibility of meeting the costs of the funeral, so think about how the costs will be covered before you sign. Many people make financial provision for their funeral before their death. Therefore, before you visit the funeral director, don't forget to check whether the deceased had any type of funeral plan and exactly what costs that plan will cover.

Once you are fully satisfied, then you can sign up in full confidence that the funeral service will fully meet your expectations and be a satisfying tribute to your loved one.