If you’ve ever been charged with the responsibility of planning a loved one’s funeral, you have a firsthand understanding of how many elements are involved; if not, you probably know someone who has been through the process. Hundreds of questions need to be answered, many of which are difficult to fathom for someone who has just lost a parent, sibling or dear friend. Though the details may seem trivial to an outsider, they often make a world of difference to a grieving family.
When someone passes away in a hospital or nursing home, medical personnel typically make every effort to show compassion, but they must also be practical. In many cases, families hear a single common question within minutes of losing a loved one: Which funeral home do you want to handle the body? When overcome by grief, even a question as simple as this one can leave a person speechless. The situation only grows more complicated from that point.
Mere hours later, meetings are scheduled with a Funeral Planner, who will have numerous more questions requiring answers. First of all, the choice of cremation or burial needs to be addressed. Entire catalogs filled with urns or caskets are then presented for those present to browse. Everything from colors to fabrics and finishes must be selected. Family members often struggle over even the smallest details, such as whether or not to have a monogram, message or landscape scene incorporated into the interior of the casket.
Who should the pallbearers be? What if some are unable to be there to carry the deceased to his or her final resting place? Who should give the eulogy? Where should the service take place? Has a burial plot already been purchased? These are all considerations for those left behind to mull over, still in the throes of sadness and loss. Though often an afterthought, crucial documents such as wills, insurance policies and property deeds also come into play, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
By speaking with a Funeral Planner ahead of time, you can take the burden of all these issues and much more off the shoulders of your loved ones. Every detail from the seemingly trivial to the most significant can be planned out in advance, leaving behind vital information for your friends and family once the time comes. Visit Leppert Mortuary & Crematory Services to learn more about pre-planning options. You can also like them on Facebook.
