No one likes to dwell upon the subject of death, and many people find it hard to have a conversation about it with loved ones, whether trying to learn what a family member’s final wishes might be, or expressing their own.
Losing a loved one is made even more agonizing when the family is left to face the difficult decisions about what sort of service, if any, and burial plans, if any, the deceased would have wanted, if no one has ever spoken about the subject. Often the costs surrounding a funeral can be substantially more than people often figure on, so planning for a funeral ahead of time is a good way to be prepared financially as well. Those who are not comfortable pre-planning a funeral on their own might consider enlisting the help of a Funeral Planner. Most funeral establishments, like Leppert Mortuary & Crematory Services, provide a Funeral Planner who can guide their clients through the ins and outs of every aspect of the service:
• Name of the officiant who will be presiding over the service, as well as names of friends and family who will be speaking, or serve as pallbearers. What pieces of music will be played, and will they be performed by instruments, a choir, a soloist? Or will there be some of the deceased’s favorite recorded music played on the sound system?
• Will there be a visitation, funeral service, or both? The days following a death of a loved one are long, painful and exhausting, and sometimes, especially with older surviving members of the family, it is physically difficult to manage standing for hours, and may be too difficult emotionally to make conversation with scores of mourners who have come to pay their respects.
Will there be an open or closed casket, and what is the budget for a casket? Are they being cremated? What vessel will hold the ashes? Will the ashes be at the service? Where will the departed be buried, and what sort of burial space is it? Would the deceased wish to be placed in the ground, crypt, mausoleum or niche?
These are just some of the numerous areas that a Funeral Planner will cover, that can save time, money and emotional distress if planned ahead. You can also follow them on Twitter for more updates!
