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Decisions made in haste have a tendency to be expensive. Vulnerable consumers can easily overspend. Sometimes there's a sense that to properly honor a just-departed loved one a funeral must be lavish. Not so. A funeral should be in keeping with the character of the deceased, his or her spiritual beliefs, the nature of the life led, and the traditions of the surviving family and friends.
If you find yourself faced with the task of organizing a funeral for a loved one who has died unexpectedly or without leaving instructions, take a level-headed friend with you to the funeral home as a steadying influence.
Depending on the type of funeral chosen, there are a variety of services that a funeral home may offer. A good funeral director will ease your burden by complying with your wishes and filling in the blanks, ensuring that all the necessary steps are organized, and that religious, cultural and family traditions are encompassed.
Types of funerals
Cryonics
Memorial service Home funerals Green burial Space burial Burial at sea or inland water When someone dies It's important to know what to do when a loved one dies. Although beset by shock and grief, you may be called upon to handle the necessary practicalities.
In the absence of instructions from the deceased, or a pre-planned funeral, you'll need to make a series of decisions, quickly. If there are several family members and friends assembled, make a list of the necessary tasks and delegate responsibility. Orchestrating a funeral entails planning the funeral ceremony and the disposition of the deceased's body, accommodating guests and, usually, arranging for a subsequent gathering that may even have an element of celebration as people give thanks for the life of the deceased and share happy memories.
You are not legally required to use a funeral home to organize a funeral, but you may find the services of professionals well versed in the regulations and practicalities of such an event very helpful.
Although it may feel mercenary, you'll need to ascertain whether the cost of the funeral is to be covered by the deceased's estate. This is important, because if you make all the arrangements with a funeral home and sign all the papers, you're going to be the one who's billed. Be careful.
Getting organized You'll need to begin by having the death pronounced by a doctor or coroner. Ask either to tell you the state's regulations with respect to the time frame within which a body must be buried or cremated. A funeral director will be able to answer that question too. Unless you're prepared to organize a home funeral, you'll need to contact a funeral home and arrange to have the body picked up and transported there. If you want the deceased dressed in certain clothing, you can either do so yourself prior to the body being picked up, or request that the funeral home do it for you. Contact friends and relatives.
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