We’ve discussed the essentials of funeral pre-planning costs that are associated with a pre-paid funeral plan. But what if plans weren’t made in advance or a pre-paid funeral plan isn’t used? What should be part of the funeral planning process in those situations?
Below we’ve outlined what’s needed for funeral planning in the order of what needs to happen first so that families have a simple guide that provides direction.
Review Estate Documents, the Life Insurance Policy and the Last Will & Testament (If They Exist)
The first thing that needs to happen for funeral planning is to review all of the related documentation, especially if it will impact the services and how they are paid. You don’t want to spend time on the next few tasks only to discover there’s a will that specifies the type of disposition and funeral home that should be used.
It’s also important to know how funeral services will be paid for before making other decisions because you may be on a tight budget or have no budget at all depending on the estate finances and life insurance.
Choose a Form of Disposition
If a form of disposition isn’t specified, that’s the next part of the funeral planning process. In most areas you’re going to have three options: burial, traditional cremation and direct cremation.
Burial is the most expensive option, primarily because of the plot and casket. If this is the disposition that’s chosen you’ll have to line up those two things as well.
Traditional cremation involves more decision making than direct cremation. The end result is the same, but the services leading up to it are different. Traditional cremation will require more work to arrange simply because there’s a funeral service beforehand whereas there are no funeral services with direct cremation.
Decide If You Want to do a Funeral, Viewing, Graveside Service or Memorial
This goes hand-in-hand with choosing a type of disposition. Some people want the full spectrum of services while others are only interested in having a memorial after the disposition or no services at all.
Select a Funeral Home
Now that you know the budget you’re working with, have the type of disposition selected and have decided on the additional services you want included it’s time to find a funeral home that checks all of the boxes.
Look for funeral homes that offer the type of disposition you want then call or visit in person to discuss your specific needs. At the end of the discussion ask for a written statement with all of the costs itemized. Funeral homes are legally obligated to provide a funeral price list that spells out the costs.
Once you’ve considered your options, select a funeral home. The funeral director can then begin working on the technical details like getting the signed death certificate and arranging transportation.
Notifying Family and Friends
Believe it or not, all of the steps above typically happen in a day or less if funeral services weren’t arranged in advance. The tight timeline is part of why planning a funeral is so hard. But now comes an even harder part – sharing the news of the death.
Family and friends that were close to the deceased may already know about the death, but everyone else is likely unaware. Usually notifying friends and family will happen in a variety of ways.
Most people in the inner circle should be called. The most efficient way to let everyone else know about the death is through text messages and social media announcements.
Notify Employers, Banks and Service Providers
There’s a second group of people who need to also be notified about the death. Namely, any person or business that had a formal relationship with the deceased providing income or receiving payments from them.
Making these notifications is the responsibility of the executor of the will or the next of kin if there’s no executor.
Choose an Urn or Casket
Once the notifications are done, a receptacle needs to be chosen for the burial or cremation. For cremations you’ll need to choose an urn. If you are arranging a burial a casket needs to be selected. Which one you choose depends on the budget and restrictions of the cemetery. For example, a green burial requires a very simple casket made of biodegradable materials only.
Creating an Obituary
If you plan to publish an obituary now is when it needs to be written. Check with the publication source to see if there are limitations on the word count and images that can be used. Online obituaries typically have little to no limitations, however, an obituary in a newspaper is going to need to be a certain length and an image may or may not be used.
Families choose Direct Cremate when they want simple, efficient cremation services. We handle all of the tasks associated with the disposition so the family can focus on personal matters. We can be reached by text or phone any hour of the day to arrange direct cremation services.
