A Checklist for Planning a No-Fuss Funeral

No one jumps at the chance to talk about death or funerals and discussing burial expenses is less appealing.
Yet, when you lose your loved one, you will have to plan their funeral. The whole venture can be draining and overwhelming. Learning how to plan a no-fuss burial will guarantee you have a simple plan to use during this dreadful day.

Funeral services are vital as they honour the life, beliefs, and value of the departed. It is a way of saying your final farewells and having the last connection. Some components of the burial service like lamenting, reflections, thanksgiving, and celebrating the life of the departed is practical, and they are the base of any funeral arrangement. Since most people have no idea how to plan a funeral, here is a checklist to guide you.

1. Choose the right funeral home

The funeral home you choose will have an overall impact on the amount of money you pay when planning a funeral. Some of the funeral homes will charge higher rates than others, so taking time to research before making the ultimate choice is vital.

After choosing a funeral home, you will need to transport the body. Making arrangements with the morgue will ensure you do not spend more than required when transporting the body.

2. Deal with the paperwork

Fill in the registration of death before you start making any arrangements. You will need someone in charge of pronouncing the death to handle the paperwork. It could be a funeral provider, a funeral home worker, or a coroner who will have to fill in the documents, depending on how your loved one died. Once you get the death certificate, you can now work on getting a disposition or burial permit.

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3. Notify relevant parties

After death, you will want to contact the immediate family members to notify them. Since this is a difficult phone call to make, it is best if you have someone close to help you. The employers, insurance companies, banks, and any religious group should also be informed.

4. The final farewell

The other step is choosing a date and the venue for the funeral. Before you make any final decision, visit the venue to find out if it is available and accommodating. You will also need to inquire how much you will have to pay. If you are contented with the venue and rates, the next option is setting up a date and time. Talk to those offering the venue to warrant you are on the same page. It is always best to make some down payment to avoid issues like double-booking.

Once you are clear on the date and venue, you will have to send out invites. When it comes to invites, it is best to do it early so you can give people time to prepare. Ask those who were close to plan a eulogy for the service. Make sure that the right parties have had their opportunity to say their goodbyes. Note that funerals are less about the deceased, but a chance for those who have been left behind to mourn and reminisce. Ensure you have ample time for those who want to speak.

5. Entertainment

Find out if the venue you have selected will allow you to serve food and refreshment to the guest. Serving at the venue is less stressful compared to serving at home. Since there is ample space, you can have the guests talking and interacting with ease. Besides, you are not the one who will have to deal with cleaning first. Planning a funeral can be draining, and it is best to avoid any tasks you can like cleaning your house.

Even if you have to serve food and drinks, you should not go overboard. You might be celebrating a life well-lived, but that does not mean getting into debt. Note that people are mainly there to say their goodbyes. Light snacks and beverages are enough for the guests. An important consideration is to have something for the kids to ensure they do not end up getting fussy.

Though a funeral is challenging to plan, a silver lining is that they will bring the bereaved family together. Focusing on actual people as compared to the ceremony is the best way to handle no-fuss funeral arrangements.