Planning a funeral is a challenging process.
While professional funeral planning services can take some of the responsibility off your shoulders, you may worry if they can make the service as meaningful and personal as you want it to be.
If this is one of the concerns you’re facing, there are several ways you can put your mind to rest and ensure a sincere service.
Prioritize the personal preferences of the deceased
Funeral rites are our way of paying our final respects to the deceased. This is why, even when you’re entrusting the planning to funeral planning services, the personal preferences of the deceased must be foremost in your mind.
One of the decisions you have to make is the type of service you’re going to have; a burial or a cremation.
Sometimes, the type of service is specified in the will of the deceased. In case of sudden death, however, it’s necessary to communicate these preferences to the planners.
If you’re unsure of the type of service that would be the most meaningful, think of what services other family members had—or their religious preferences—to ensure a service that would mean the most to the deceased and their family.
Personalize the urn, casket, or coffin
One of the most sentimental ways to commemorate the life of someone who has passed away is by getting personalized urns from your funeral planners. This gives family members the opportunity to celebrate their loved one in a subtle, intimate manner.
To make the service more meaningful and celebrate the life that was lived, you can get these urns designed in a variety of ways. Military personnel, for example, can opt to have their urn decorated with their badges and medals. Alternatively, the urn can take a mosaic design with the inclusion of photos of your loved one.
Similarly, you can personalize caskets and coffins too; to match their personality, memories, and interests. For example, eco-friendly coffins are a good choice for nature enthusiasts and environmentalists.
Pick how you want to express your goodbye
When it comes to saying your goodbyes through arrangements like funeral flowers, make sure you understand the language of flowers and voice your preferences to the planners to leave a meaningful message.
There are also other ways you can express your love apart from flowers. For example, you can try donating to campaigns seeking support for causes close to your loved one’s heart, or a charity that the deceased supported.
Coordinating donations and sensitive details like financial handling, however, can be overwhelming when you’re going through an emotional time.
When you enlist the help of professional funeral services, you can coordinate these tasks easily; ensuring your loved one is getting a service that truly respects and honors who they were and their passions. Funeral planning services are dedicated to ensuring all the requirements and the wishes of the family are met.
Communicate your preferences for the memorial
While a funeral planning service will be there to help you through the planning of a memorial, the contribution of a family member can make it more memorable for attendees.
The best way to host a personalized memorial service is by highlighting the life of the deceased.
Make this a moment to remember what they did, their relationship with you, and the lasting legacy they leave behind. Using quotes, songs, or proverbs they love during the memorial, for example, will be extra special when you celebrate the life of your loved one.
Give your planners a theme and a direction that reflects the life and values of your loved ones to coordinate a meaningful memorial.
Funeral planning services can make planning easier and more personal
Professional funeral planners can guide you through the entire process of planning the final goodbye to your loved one.
By establishing clear communication, making them aware of all the aspects you wish to see in the service, and the elements that keep your loved one close, you can ensure a well-planned, meaningful service.
