Tips for organising a funeral

After a death a funeral director will arrange to meet family at home or the funeral directors office to discuss any preferences and options regarding a funeral service. It can help if you have planned a support person who you can ring at this time.

If the deceased had clear instructions regarding their funeral it will help with some of the decision making. In any case a funeral director will guide you through the process. Individualising a funeral and ensuring a service is a unique celebration of a loved one's life takes lots of thought.

Funeral directors will help by giving you ideas in the way of services and products that will make a funeral service a memorable event. Keep in mind that you will be billed for all services and products. Check with a funeral director what constitutes a basic funeral plan and what products and services are considered as extras. 

Many decisions need to be made including:

•  Is the body for burial or cremation?
•  Where will the service be held? Date and time of day?
•  Will the service be public or private?
•  Would you prefer a Clergy or celebrant to lead the service?
•  Would you like a private viewing of the deceased?
•  What type of coffin or casket would you prefer?
•  What flower arrangements would be appropriate?
•  Would you like any particular music to be played?
•  Do you want a notice in the newspaper?
•  Do you want any particular verses, poems or bible passages read?
•  Do you need to organise cars, transfers and pallbearers?
•  Would you like refreshments or a wake?
•  Would you like any donations to be given to charity?
•  Would you like a memorial book?
•  What clothes would you like the deceased to wear?
•  Would you like to display or have the deceased buried with any personal items or mementos at the service?