Hi everyone, my name is AnaMae Merton. I recently lost my birth parents during a heavy storm. Their deaths left me reeling, though we were not very close. Furthermore, I was the only surviving kin, so it was my job to arrange the funerals for both of them. The funeral arrangement process was incredibly difficult without knowing much about their personalities or passions. I struggled to find the best songs, outfits, caskets, burial sites and flowers. Luckily, the funeral director helped me identify suitable options for my birth parents' funerals. I hope to help people understand all of the different funeral arrangement options available today. Please visit my site anytime to learn more.
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Learning All About Funeral Arrangement Options
Three Decisions To Make Today About Your Final Arrangements
Christine Fleming
Have you given much thought to what your final wishes are? If something were to happen to you tomorrow, would your family know what you want? Few people want to think about what will actually happen once they pass on. Unfortunately, this can leave behind family members who are confused and conflicted about what you would or would not have wanted. While you will hopefully continue to have a long and healthy life for some time to come, it's still a good idea to make plans for the unexpected. If a sudden accident or illness should take you, your family will know what to do. Some of the most important things to decide right now include:
Cremation or burial: One of the biggest, and perhaps most important, choices to make is whether to be buried or cremated. While burial is often considered to be the more traditional choice, cremation services are typically more affordable. Your family can even choose to have an open casket funeral so that everyone can say goodbye before the actual cremation takes place. If your religion doesn't forbid cremation, you may want to consider this option if only for the fact that your family will have more money to put towards other final expenses.
Burial location: Some people purchase a cemetery plot long before they need it. Since the land can be the biggest single expense for a burial, this makes sense. However, if you happen to move away or are otherwise in another city when you pass on, getting your body back to the correct cemetery can be even more expensive than the plot itself.
If you choose to opt for cremation services, your cremated remains can be shipped back home to be scattered or interred at a relatively low cost. Otherwise, it may be more prudent for your family to purchase a plot in the city where you passed on rather than paying to have your body shipped back home. For some people, the final resting place is extremely important while others don't care at all. Make sure your family knows where you stand on this issue.
Flower usage: While flowers can be a great way to show respect for the dear departed, funeral arrangements can be expensive. As you've discovered if you've ever sent flowers for any occasion, even a small bouquet can make a significant dent in a person's paycheck. Several large flower arrangements may cost even more than a coffin and they are often disposed of immediately afterward. Whether you want to save your family the needless expense or you want your funeral to have less of an environmental impact, consider telling your family to skip the flowers entirely. If people still want to use flowers for the funeral, you can request that the flowers get donated after the ceremony. Instead of being thrown away, the flowers will be used to provide bouquets for and brighten the days of people who otherwise might get no flowers, such as patients in a nursing home.
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