Arranging a Funeral

By: Funerals of Compassion

Planning for an Arrangement

Before the arrangement, there are a number of things you can prepare for the meeting;

• Clothing for your loved one
• Collect all personal details of your loved one for the completion of legal documents
• Choice of music to play during the service. Usually 2-3 items of music
• In the event that you require a Press Notice in a newspaper, it is advisable to make a list of all family members you want mentioned.

Arranging a Funeral

The initial face to face meeting with your funeral director is called an arrangement. The arrangement can take place at a convenient place either in your own home or at our office. The role of the funeral director is to assist in the practical aspects of the funeral and to liaise with all the relevant people on your behalf. The traditional role of a funeral director is to simply transfer the deceased and prepare the body. The ceremonial aspects were generally organized by the family and clergy.

Nowadays, the funeral director is able to manage and coordinate all aspects of the funeral for you. They plan when and where the ceremony will take place and assist in all the celebratory aspects which will reflect the life of the deceased.

The funeral director role is to alleviate you of some emotional burden so you can spend as much time as possible dealing with your personal grief with your loved ones.

During the Arrangement

During the arrangement, the funeral director role is to understand your needs and guide you through the process of achieving the type of funeral you seek. In many cases the sense of loss is overwhelming and making decisions regarding funeral arrangements can be extremely difficult.

Typical decisions where a funeral director can provide guidance:

• Burial or Cremation?
• Church or Chapel?
• Viewing or No Viewing
• Service or No Service?
• Coffin or Casket?
• Clergy or Celebrant?
• Choice of Floral Tributes
• Choice of Music

The funeral director will document your choices in a funeral service which you will need to authorize. You will then be given a copy along with an itemized estimate of all the expenses associated with the funeral. There are required legal documents to be completed such as the Registration of Death form for the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and other documents depending on whether the service will be a burial or a cremation.

After the Arrangement

After the initial arrangement, your funeral director will follow through on all the decisions made in the funeral service agreement.

The Funeral Service

On the day of the funeral, you will meet your funeral conductor. Your funeral conductor will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the funeral as planned during the arrangement. The conductor’s role is to ensure that all the arrangements are met and that everything runs smoothly.

Important - Read This: This information is intended to provide general information only which may not be applicable to your particular circumstances.  You agree to access this information at your own risk and that First Point Media is not liable to you for the content of the information or any reliance by you on this information.