10 Things You Need to Know About Funerals

When a loved one breathes their last, it can be hectic and trying.

As such, family members must come together and decide on the things that must be done.

The problem is that there are hundreds of things that need to be done.

So, you must select the most important ones if you look forward to giving your loved one a decent sendoff.

This article takes you through the top 10 things you need to know about funerals.

Things You Need to Know About Funerals

#1. Funeral Wishes Are Important

As mentioned, there are over 100 things that may be done after a loved one passes away. A few people will list them in their final wish list. But the majority will die without it.

This should not happen to you or your close relatives. Funeral homes can help you document your last wishes when you buy a final sendoff policy.

The funeral wishes will include all the things that you would like to be done and those that should be avoided.

You will also get a chance to learn about rules that must be followed when giving a loved one the final sendoff.

#2. Cost Variation

A funeral can cost anything in the range of $3000-$10,000. The cost may be dependent on whether you choose the traditional burial or the new cremation.

Whichever method you want, there are many things that one may need to look at before deciding the way to go.

But, you must be prepared to spend a few thousand dollars to meet the last-minute expenses.

Some of the most necessary expenses that will eat into your budget include the cost of a coffin or casket.

Others may include transportation costs and cremation fees and certificates.

If the disease died while undergoing treatment, the hospital bill must be paid before the remains can be released.

Read Also: Best Cremation Insurance Policy

#3. Tap Into Insurance or Government Benefits

Raising the money required to fund funeral expenses may be a nightmare to many families.

Luckily, there are government benefits you can tap into to raise funds needed for the funeral.

Social security could provide death benefits to the eligible spouse. So, you may need to check with them if there is any money to be collected.

But if the deceased had a life insurance policy or final burial plan, it could provide the resources.

Thus, life insurance could be the best option to help you manage the risk of premature death.

The policy covers the cost of the funeral and may cater to medical bills.

So, taking insurance cover is necessary even when you do not have dependents.

A life insurance plan that fits into your financial plan could be the best option for you. It ensures that the deceased gets a decent burial and does not leave the family with a burden when they breathe their last.

#4. Let Your Family Know The Plan

In many cases, it may not be easy for families to know the plans the deceased made about their final sendoff.

Besides, the family expects them to take care of their final expense arrangements.

So, communicating with them early enough could help. Let them know the steps you may have made and the things you may have done.

If you have already bought the final plot that you think is an ideal resting place, it is important to let them know.

Plans on the type of casket, transportation, and things like viewing must be relayed to the family. Note that the family may need to deal with the entire final journey.

It is, therefore, mandatory that you make a good plan well in advance.

So, ensure that you allow your family to access copies of your insurance policy if you have one. It will enable them to plan for your final burial ceremony.

#5. Confirm Cemetery/Burial Arrangement

It is easier to have everything in place but miss-out on one crucial thing. For instance, you may organize transportation, casket, and other requirements. But you may forget to confirm the cemetery arrangements.

So, it is always vital to check and confirm if the cemetery has been paid for.

Also, some people may prefer to be buried in their plots. They may state this in their will, which is kept at the funeral director’s office.

Thus, it might be necessary for a family to check with the funeral director if a specific plot was put on their wish list.

Check if the funeral director will make cemetery or burial arrangements on behalf of the family.

You may also need to purchase the other merchandise you may need for the burial. Things like the urn and burial vault must be bought.

In some cases, you may need to need to initiate filing notices for death benefit claims. It helps to eliminate problems that may arise in case the insurer wants to participate in the burial.

What to Do

If the death occurred at home, you might need to notify the police about the incident. But if you live in states that allow individuals to carry out home burials without involving the state, it’s fine.

The funeral director should be informed of the death so that they arrange how to handle the body. Some people choose to work with funeral celebrants.

They are experts trained to help families plan for burial ceremonies.

In some cases, you may need to organize celebrations like memorial service, depending on the wishes of the deceased.

However, it mostly depends on your customs and the wishes of the deceased.

#6. Funeral Planners Can Help You

Most of the planners have tools that you can use to plan for a funeral. They will help you prepare for a conference and take you through step-by-step planning processes using an assortment of tools.

If you have a funeral plan, that is fine. But if you don’t, they will help you create a plan, including computing the total estimate of the cost.

Of course, the cost will vary depending on the type of ceremony you want to have.

Also, it will depend on the way you plan to mourn the dead. There are five different ways you can choose to mourn and honor the departed soul.

The cost of each ceremony varies depending on the background of the deceased.

#7. Pre-pay For The Arrangements

It is possible for one to pre-plan and pay for the services in advance. This is the right move to make since it entails paying for a future service that may cost more at the current price.

It minimizes the future financial burden to the family members once you have gone.

#8. Funeral Services

It is a formal ceremony based on the cultural beliefs and religion of the deceased. The ceremonies are intended to remember the life of the dead.

Family members and friends must attend such ceremonies. They pay their last respect to the departed soul through songs and prayer.

In most cases, the remains of the deceased must be moved from the morgue to the venue where the service will be hosted.

There are hymns, scripture reading, sermons, and eulogy. The body is then moved in procession to the crematorium or cemetery for burial.

#9. A Memorial Service

It is a ceremony that intends to celebrate and remember the life of the departed soul.

The service takes place after the body has been buried or cremated. In the case of cremation, the cremated remains may be present during the ceremony.

The absence of the deceased body in a memorial service is what makes it different from the funeral service.

It means that the memorial service can be held at any time but could even take years before it is held. It is used to celebrate life, and so it may be non-religious and informal.

The ceremony gives the family and friends a chance to gather around and celebrate the deceased’s life. It takes place when no one is grieving.

This ceremony could be held virtually, or at a restaurant. It could also be held in a park that used to be frequented by the dead.

#10. Visitation and Viewing

They are events that allow friends to express their sympathy to the family of the diseased.

It also gives them a chance to see the dead and bereaved family and express their condolences.

Besides, it gives them a chance to see the departed soul and bid it goodbye or fare thee well. It provides a sense of closeness to the family.

Conclusion

Indeed, a lifespan provides an opportunity for people to save and invest. It allows them to secure the future of their families.

But unless you take care of your funeral, these investments could be wasted when you die.

However, you can enable the surviving family to handle this by investing in a life insurance policy.

The insurer will be responsible for funeral and burial expenses. This move will allow your investments to thrive.