There are a lot of decisions that have to be made when you are helping with the planning of a loved one's funeral services. Making these decisions during a time when you might really be grieving can be tough, but someone from the funeral home and your other loved ones should be able to help you make these decisions and others during the funeral planning stage.
1. Will the Casket Be Opened or Closed?
First of all, you will have to decide if you want your loved one's casket to be opened or closed during the visitation and the funeral. Some people prefer an open casket because it allows family members and friends to say goodbye to their loved one. In some situations, though, such as if the person was involved in a tragic accident that might have left behind serious, visible injuries, a closed casket is preferred. You'll need to look at the specific details of your loved one's death and the preferences of you and your loved ones when making this decision.
2. Who Will Officiate the Funeral?
Next, you will need to decide who will officiate the funeral. You might already have someone in mind; for example, if your deceased loved one went to church, then you may want to have his or her pastor speak at the funeral. You may want to choose your own pastor or another religious clergymen. Not all funerals have to be religious, though. If your loved one was not particularly religious or if you would prefer not to have a religious funeral for another reason — such as if you don't want to make anyone who is in attendance who is not religious uncomfortable — then you can look for a secular officiant who will speak during the funeral without adding a religious element.
3. Will the Funeral Be Public or Private?
Lastly, you'll need to decide if the funeral will be public or private. Some people choose to have private funerals and only want a few family members and friends to be in attendance. Others choose to advertise the funeral to the public so that anyone who wants to come and say goodbye to the deceased is welcome to do so. This is a personal matter, based on the amount of privacy that the family wants and other details.
You have to make a lot of decisions when planning a funeral, including these three things. Make sure you work with a good funeral home to get help with all of these decisions and others that have to be made during the planning process.
Share23 September 2018
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