By Lifetimes

11/30/2010 A Funeral is an opportunity for family and friends to say goodbye to their loved one. It plays a vital role in the grieving process, allowing us to honour and celebrate the deceased's life, whilst offering support and comfort to each other.


Planning a funeral can be an extremely stressful and emotional time, so getting the right help and support is essential.
Upon the passing of a loved one, your first step should be to inform family and friends. You may also want to contact their employer, whom can contact fellow employees, their family doctor, insurance company, lawyer, and bank.
You should locate the will of the deceased as this should identify the executor whoʼs specific job it is, to organise and arrange the funeral. The will may also detail the deceased wishes concerning the funeral arrangements, if they have not pre-planned their own funeral.
Contact your chosen Funeral Director as soon as possible as they will help you through the entire planning process of the funeral, however there will be a number of decisions that need to be made. Some of the decisions that will need to be made include:

• Service venue. You may choose to have the funeral at the funeral parlor, in a chapel, church, or at a place of special significance from your loved oneʼs life.

• When to hold the service. You must allow time for arrangements to be made, and ensure the chosen facility is available to hold the service. Remember to allow time for those attending the funeral from out of town to arrive.

• Funeral Notice. You should advise the community of the passing of your loved one. Many people throughout the deceased stages of life may want to attend the funeral service or send their condolence. By creating a Tribute on the Lifetimes website, you will be able to inform family, friends, and acquaintances, and allow them to share condolence messages and memories immediately. You may also decide to place a notice in a local newspaper, informing people of the service and Tribute. Your Funeral Director with help you arrange either option.

• Disposition of remains. There a a few options for the deceased's remains, including burial, cremation, or entombment. A burial requires a cemetery plot, head stone or grave marker. Cremation requires some type of urn to hold the ashes. Entombment requires a tomb or mausoleum above ground in which the casket is placed.

• Type of service. You should decide the type of service you wish to hold which may help when making other decisions. Do you want a traditional funeral or some type of non-traditional funeral? Will this be a public or a private funeral? Remember to personalise the service and respect the wishes of the deceased if noted in the will.

Viewing of deceased
You may decide to have a viewing of the deceased before the funeral service. This enables close family and friends a chance to view their loved one in private, one final time. Your funeral director will prepare the body for viewing which you may host at home or at the funeral parlor. You will also need to decide if the body is present at the service, and whether this will be an open or closed casket.
Service conductor
The service conductor will be the person to conduct the funeral service. This may be an official religious leader, a celebrant, or you may prefer a family or friend to conduct the service. Discuss with whom you choose, what you would like them to say and the order of service.
Readings and eulogy
Prepare any particular eulogies and readings you would like. These could include poems, hymns or scripture. In addition members of the family and close friends may want to say something or share a special memory.
Pallbearers
Pallbearers carry or officially escort the coffin at a funeral. The traditional number of pallbearers is six. You may decide to have a number of different pallbearers during various proceedings, for instance, escorting the coffin out of the funeral service to the hearse, then from the hearse to the cemetery plot. It is regarded as a privilege to be a pallbearer.
Deceased clothing
You should choose a special outfit or items of clothing to have the deceased dressed in before being laid to rest. This could be anything from their finest suit to their comfy pyjamas.
Flowers
Itʼs very common to have flowers at a funeral. Flowers can be a visual expression of love, sympathy, and respect. Flowers can create warmth and beauty at the funeral service or beside the grave.
Photos
You may select a variety of photos to be displayed at the funeral service in photo frames or displayed on a screen. It is common to include printed photos on the order of service booklet.
Music
Music at a funeral service can be a very personal choice. You may arrange a pianist, live music, or you could play pre recorded music through a speaker system. This could be you loved oneʼs favourite tune or a song that expresses how you feel.
Following the service itʼs common to host a social event after the service. This allows friends and family to comfort and informally catch up with each other. You will need to arrange where to hold this, with options ranging from the funeral parlor or your own home, or at a separate function center. You should provide refreshments for extended family, friends and mourners, so decide ahead of time whether you will prepare these yourself or arrange catering.
Remember a funeral can be very emotionally draining to arrange, so ensure you ask for support from family and friends. Your Funeral Director will ensure all the essential details are covered, answering any questions and ensuring your loved one is gracefully laid to rest.