Read on for an overview of how to plan a funeral or memorial service, whether for yourself or for a loved one. It makes clear the importance (whenever possible) of planning ahead and making your wishes known before death, as well as alternatives to traditional funeral services. While commonly...
A prepaid funeral plan through a local funeral home will enable you to take control and ensure that your funeral arrangements are paid for and executed exactly how you want. We spoke with industry expert J Scott Burke, a licensed funeral director and co-founder of FEX Contracting, to ...
Choosing a florist and making floral arrangements; Choosing photos to display at the funeral; Purchasing or providing your own casket or cremation container; Selecting a cemetery and plot; and Picking out a headstone, grave marker, or urn. ...
Whatever the reason, it’s important for you to remember that you have every right to plan this funeral your way. There is no feasible way to make everyone happy with the outcome of a funeral, as this is a time when emotions are running high and grief can put a strain on even the s...
Advanced arrangements A will is another way to prepare in advance for death. The will can designate how your funeral should be conducted and information about how to pay for funeral services. The will can also designate certain assets that you may leave behind so they go to the right people...
covered under the FMLA or another employment law. For example, you might request a leave of absence to take a sabbatical, finish graduate school, recover from job-related or personal stress, attend jury duty, mourn the death of a loved one or complete funeral arrangements for a family ...
the funeral or memorial service at a church or funeral home, these venues may have a professional assigned for just this purpose. Churches often have volunteer groups who are eager to help. Consider engaging a professional celebrant or party planner who specializes in making funeral arrangements. ...
I have spent nearly ten years helping families plan more affordable funeral arrangements, and I have found that with a little planning and knowledge, the typical family can realistically reduce their out-of-pocket funeral expenses by $3,000 to $5,000....
you will be responsible for shipping the casket to the funeral home, which may be expensive. If you choose cremation, you can avoid the cost of a new casket. Most funeral homes will rent you a casket to use if you plan on holding a viewing or for the funeral as a more cost-effective...
Directing Funeral Arrangements A will shouldn't contain directions for funeral arrangements. That's because, normally, it won't be reviewed for some time after death. Be sure to leave instructions for funeral arrangements in a separate document that's easily accessed by the executor or a family...