Learning All About Funeral Arrangement Options

Planning For The End: Why It Does Not Have To Sound So Ominous

15 June 2018

Christine Fleming

Far too often, people pass away. Many pass away from unexpected events, such as a car crash (1.3 million, of which half are aged 18-44), a sudden and unexpected illness (47% of heart attack deaths occur suddenly and outside of a hospital), or intentional deaths, such as a suicide or homicide. Taking into account that anyone could pass away at any time, it makes it all the more important to plan for your own end. It may seem or sound ominous, but it does not have to be. Here are some funeral pre-planning services and a positive way of viewing each service you choose to use.

Purchasing Your Coffin or Casket

A coffin or casket is required if you plan on being entombed or buried. These final resting boxes can be very ornate and beautiful. Some of them are even extremely comfortable and luxurious. If you like, you can even test the floor models by laying inside them to see how comfortable they can be. If you are really brave, you could even close the lid to see what it would be like after you have passed on and your body is all that is left. Shopping for a coffin or casket can be enjoyable, since you can also customize many of the features on these things.

Purchasing a Tombstone or Plaque

If you have purchased a burial plot, you should have a tombstone, too. The funeral home conducts business with local tombstone masons, but you can also "bring your own." Have everything inscribed on the stone that you want, and leave enough space for just the date of your death, if you so desire. Some people take this time to leave behind something witty, funny, somber, or touching. Inscribe the stone however you like. 

If you are going to be entombed, either as a body or as ashes, a plaque with your name on it, along with birth and death dates and a simple statement, is sufficient. The plaque will be engraved upon your passing, so be sure to write down exactly what you want to say. The funeral home often suggests a limited number of characters.

Opting for Cremation and an Urn Instead

Of course, some people would prefer to be cremated instead. If you choose cremation services, you can pay for that in advance as well. Some people also buy an urn, into which their ashes are placed. If your ashes will be spread somewhere or if you want a box of your ashes entombed in a special sepulcher for ashes, these are also things you should include in your final directives to relatives.

Creating Final Directives

Final directives inform your relatives of your preferences for services, burial/cremation/entombment, body viewing, etc.. The funeral director sits down with you to write all of these things down on paper. It helps the funeral home know what you want so that the funeral home can help your family in their time of grief. Grief counseling for family may also be something you want to include in your final directives, since your relatives may need it.

Securing Grief Counseling for Survivors

Grief counseling is just an additional service that some funeral homes provide in the interim between your passing and the time that your family members work through some of their sorrow. They may use this service according to the service terms and costs, which you have prepaid for as a measure of comfort for loved ones. Many people love this idea because even in death it shows that you have compassion for others' feelings.

For more information on funeral pre-planning services, contact a company like Naples Funeral Home Inc

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