10 STEPS TO ORGANISING A FUNERAL WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE LEFT NO INSTRUCTIONS
1) Burial or Cremation?
The decision of your loved one’s final farewell, Ceremony lies in your hands., this can seem harder when your try to arrange A FUNERAL WHEN LEFT NO INSTRUCTIONS
If you go for a traditional burial, you would have to make arrangements for a coffin, place of the grave (cemetery or any other suitable location), etc. Similarly, the clothes, headstone, and engravings must be taken care of. A good Celebrant or Funeral Director can help you with advice.
However, cremation is getting popular these days. Of course, it is light on the pocket and requires no such preliminary arrangement except the cremation room. Personally, I find nothing sadder than a grave that’s not tended with dead flowers or an artificial one that has faded ( if they are allowed locally )
A FUNERAL WHEN LEFT NO INSTRUCTIONS
2) Who Should Lead the Service?
It’s better to get a Funeral Director to help you out by talking to a family and friends and checking out the internet for a local celebrant. But if you want to do it all yourself, you are free to do so.
A funeral director and Celebrant can lead and assist you in making all the necessary arrangements.
3) The Day and Time
The family’s attendance is very important at the funeral, so it must be coordinated.
Also, be mindful that the venue you choose is available for your slot before fixing the date. If the slot is too short for your service, try getting one that suits and fits your service timeline.
If family members are flying in from other places, it’s better to consider them.
In this case, choosing a daytime or weekend funeral service can be a good decision, and this is something some funeral directors offer.
4) A Religious or Non-religious Ceremony?
Memories and love live on in our hearts.
If your loved one had strong religious beliefs, you should arrange a funeral with spiritual elements prioritised. This will help the family and the attendees get a closer insight into your loved one’s beliefs to honour them.
But in case the religious element is not majorly important, you can always hold a non-religious ceremony. Celebrants then do these non-religious funerals. Many Celebrants will happily include aspects of faith that are important. They will reflect upon the life of the one who has passed away and will fittingly talk about their character. Over the years, there has been increasing inclusion of photo/video tributes, and live streaming is possible in some venues.
5) Transportation
Before the funeral day, it is essential to take care of all the arrangements regarding transporting your deceased loved one and family to the funeral venue.
You can arrange a separate carriage for the deceased or go for the traditional hearse. Which can be a more modern motor or even a horse dawn one, or the Coffin can be in the chapel before the ceremony.
6) Post Funeral Arrangements
This includes a post-event gathering or a family unison after all the services are done.
It is unnecessary, but it can be a good excuse for the family to spend time together, discuss, mourn, and comfort each other after the tragic loss.
7) Funeral Music or No music?
If your loved one was fond of a particular kind of music or practised any, it is good to have that music or song played at the ceremony in remembrance. Though anything is possible, one of the first funerals for the tiny lady in her late 80s was the music of the Stripper at the end, which she had been dancing to a few weeks earlier; we all left with lasting memories.
8) Donations or Flowers?
Flower arrangements at the venue and for the guests can be a great way to honour your loved one’s life. You can look for charitable organisations close to the deceased and donate to them in their memory. You can hire a florist to assist you here.
9) Funeral Order Of Services
These can be a very popular and lasting memory, though the crematorium usually has hymn books if you can afford the cost. Each guest receives one of these booklets. It contains memorable photographs, the order of the funeral service, hymns, and readings dedicated to your loved one.
It can be a great tribute and a heartfelt gesture if you decide to produce it yourself.
10) Funeral Eulogies And Tributes
These are the most emotional moments in a funeral service. But who will do it? You can have family and friends come up and read the eulogy, talk about their memories, and share their experiences with the deceased one. Though your Celebrant who will spend time with you can use their expertise to write something appropriate or read something. If a family are reading, they give a copy in advance to the celebrant in case they feel too emotional,
People can read passages, tributes, poems or maybe share their emotions with everyone present.
This is just a general guide for your assistance in arranging a funeral for your loved one, especially when A FUNERAL WHEN LEFT NO INSTRUCTIONS You can always add or subtract some of these steps. Since it will be your decision throughout, make sure that you are comfortable with your choices while honouring the deceased.
If I can help further, please do not hesitate to contact me.