If you’ve just lost a loved one and are planning a funeral, or beginning to preplan a funerary, the process can be stressful.
Enlisting the help of a funeral planning service provider, however, may ease your mind and provide a respectable send-off.
It’s advisable to get as much assistance as you can from friends and family or a trustworthy funeral director. Working closely with a funeral director can ensure that the whole ceremony is carried out smoothly from start to finish.
If you’re unsure about where or how to start planning or pre-planning a funeral, here are some pointers on what to look for and what you should avoid when choosing a funeral service provider.
Offers Reputable Service
Most funeral homes will have their official website with information about their services. When conducting your research, make sure you go through the reviews left by people who have used their services.
If you see high praise for the compassionate staff and overall good experience in most reviews, the funeral home likely provides exceptional service.
Don’t stop here. Make sure to go through the not-so-positive comments as well so you can gauge where the funeral home may fall short.
Facilitates Customized Services
You may have a vision of how exactly you want to commemorate the life of your loved one. A professional funeral planning service will ensure that your needs are prioritized.
You might want to consider a unique ceremony with a catering service or even a memorial slideshow. Whatever your requirements are, make sure the funeral home of your choice is willing to provide it for you.
Caters to Your Budget
Funerals can oftentimes be a financial burden. When looking for a funeral home, make sure that you clearly state your budget. You may have to compromise on certain options, but your service provider shouldn’t compromise on quality.
A good funeral home will accommodate your wishes as much as possible while staying within your budget and providing you with a memorable ceremony.
Accommodates Religious and Cultural Practices
You and your family may have certain religious beliefs and cultural practices that have to be honored during a funeral service, and a good funeral home should be accommodating of what is necessary.
Always inquire from the funeral home whether they cater to your religious or cultural requirements before proceeding with their services.
Ensures Full Financial Transparency
Apart from the basic funeral fee, you’ll be charged for additional services or products that are offered by the funeral home. For example, flower arrangements and casket and headstone costs will be charged as extras.
When discussing arrangements with the funeral director or planner, a professional will be fully transparent about the cost and provide you with a full budget with no hidden costs.
Employs Empathetic Staff
During a funeral, the kindness of others can help you stay calm and collected. Since you’ll have to interact with most of the staff at a funeral home, you need to make sure you feel comfortable around them.
Paying an in-person visit to your funeral home options may help you figure out exactly how compassionate the staff is.
Provides Resources for Grief Management
Some funeral homes may provide resources such as counseling to help with the grieving process.
Make sure you inquire from the home of your choice about their resources in case you need to pass them on to family members or friends.
What to avoid when choosing a funeral service provider
Planning or preplanning a funeral is distressing, and you might not be able to make clear-cut decisions under the pressure. For an end-of-life ceremony to be carried out efficiently, however, you might want to make sure the following mistakes aren’t made when choosing a funeral home:
- Not doing enough research: With the assistance of a friend or family member, make sure to extensively research your options before proceeding with their services; a simple phone call or browse through their website can help you gain more insight
- Not being familiar with the services a home provides: Not all funeral homes will provide the specific services you want; make it a point to directly mention your requirements and confirm if they can provide for them
- Not comparing rates: Different funeral homes will have varying price points so make sure to compare the rates of the options you have in your mind; this can help you choose one that sticks to your budget
Choose a funeral service provider you’re comfortable with
Finding a funeral home that you’re comfortable with that provides exceptional service to commemorate a funeral is the ideal outcome.
Always make sure that your choice of a funeral home can offer you and your loved ones an intimate, dignified experience when saying goodbye.