How Cemetery Plots Work

Funeral Pre-Planning: Coaxing a Terminally Ill or Aging Loved One

funeral pre planning mississaugaThe idea of funeral planning in advance is a dreaded topic to discuss among family members. In the event of a foreseeable and impending death due to illness or old age, however, there may not be much choice. If you wait for the death to occur, the bouts of grief you go through will not give you that ideal mindset to make numerous decisions in a rush.

Start by opening the topic of a known friend or relative who just passed away. You may let your loved one know that had it been you who passed, you would have opted for this casket or those funeral songs. You can then ask for their own opinions. If your loved one is the one who brought up the matter, you can nudge them along by researching on the funeral service packages offered in your area and by explaining to them the pros and cons of each. Have them start with the more trivial choices first such as the color of the casket and the like. As they warm up to the idea of pre-planning, you can go deeper into the details until all their wishes would be made known to you.

 

Source: Revolutionhealth.com

3 Ways to Bring in Funeral Music

funeral songs mississaugaFuneral songs are often viewed as an integral part of any funeral since it can lift the spirit of those who are grieving and provide a soothing background to an otherwise somber setting.

1. Recorded music

The most inexpensive way to play music at a funeral is by collecting a number of songs in a CD to be played at the funeral home. Your funeral director may even have a list of songs commonly played at funerals so this can be a good starting point.

2. Singers

Live music can lend a special touch to a funeral. Whether you hire a soloist or a choir, there is that warm quality of the human voice that can pull the congregation together in a prayerful hymn. Funeral homes can help you pick the right professionals who are experienced in rendering songs at memorial services.

3. Instrumental music

A string quartet or even a simple organ is also a popular option for funeral music. Since the occasion is not a happy one, be sure to set aside time to go over their repertoire of songs to prevent any misunderstanding or the playing of songs that you or any of your family would deem as inappropriate for the memorial.

 

Source: Music-for-church-choirs.com

 

How to Arrange for Donations Instead of Flowers

mississauga funeralsMany families tasked with funeral planning are not keen on receiving flower arrangements for their loved one or the latter had given them specific instructions to that effect. This is a common practice since some are in the belief that once the funeral is over, the wilted flowers would be of little use to the family. So they might as well donate the amount to charity.

1.  Put it in writing.

Just as you have seen others do it, include the line “in lieu of flowers …” in the obituary and in all the funeral announcements you make, whether online or offline. If you wish, you can also state the name of the charity you are helping and your reason for the choice.

2.  Seek the help of the funeral director.

Funeral homes are your allies when it comes to collecting the actual donations. You can make a request to the funeral director for them to facilitate the receipt and even the delivery of the donations to the charity of your choice. When you are grieving and attending to guests and your own family at the same time, you will appreciate how this kind of service will help you through the difficult period.

 

Source: Palmmortuary.com

Why People Delay Advance Funeral Planning

funeral planningDoing your funeral planning in advance offers you plenty of advantages. You can go through life with that peace of mind knowing that you will not be a burden to your family when you pass. If you are particular about how your funeral should be handled, then the advance planning can ensure that your wishes will be carried out. However, many people are still hesitating about the practice for a couple of reasons:

Lack of funds

When you plan for your funeral, one aspect you will be taking care of is the payment for the funeral services. This means setting aside a budget for it on top of whatever expenses you have on your plate right now. The idea is to distribute the total funeral cost over an agreed period of time. While this may require you to come up with the extra amount now, your family can reap the benefits later when they need not pool money together for the whole sum.

Concept of death

The thought of passing away is still taboo to many people, and since they avoid talking about it, they avoid planning for it as well. Death, however, may come sooner than they expected so the better prepared they are for it, the less burden they will be leaving on their loved ones.

 

 

Source: http://www.palmmortuary.com/dm20/en_US/main/pm/library/article/name/preplanning-myths.page

When the Dead is Scammed

funeral serviceFuneral homes in some towns often receive a bad rap for preying on grieving families. The circumstances are often similar with small communities not having that much choice but to avail of their lone funeral home’s services. While federal regulations are indeed in place to prevent fraudulent transactions, there are still a few areas where the bereaved family will be left feeling taken advantaged of in their time of sorrow.

It is a common perception that homes are often guilty of overcharging on caskets. They often explain that the healthy margin is for the fees they need to be responsible for or to cover the losses that they may be experiencing. However, if you take the time to read the fine print of their contracts, you may be confused to find a few more items sneaked in there as well. Things like the use of certain rooms, supplies, parking space or event charges are tucked in along with the others. The key to avoiding these unpleasant surprises is to do comparative shopping first before committing to a certain package. A trusted friend can also serve as your sounding board and counsel to warn you before making rash decisions.

 

 

Source: http://dragonet.com/funeral/scam.htm

How to Conduct a Viewing

funeralsMany funeral homes set aside a few hours on certain days to allow the family of the deceased to receive whomever would wish to condole with them.

If you are the bereaved family

When you are the one charged with the funeral planning, be sure to confirm with the funeral director the exact hours and days that they set aside for the viewing. You can then pass around this information to your relatives, the deceased’s colleagues and friends. Ensure that a family member is present for the duration of the visitation hours. Place a guest book where the visitors can sign in without interfering with the prayers or any other activity.

If you are visiting

Since you may not have met any of the immediate family, introduce yourself first and let them know your association with the deceased. Depending on your closeness to them, you can offer your heartfelt sympathy in person or by leaving a note. Sign on the guest book so they will have a record of your visit. You can then opt to spend a few moments before the casket to offer your prayers. Be considerate of the schedule given for the visitation, and avoid any awkward situations by not arriving too late or staying too long.

 

 

Source: http://connect.legacy.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1984035%3ABlogPost%3A11578

 
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