Most people have experienced the death of a loved one, but even if someone has lost one or several loved ones, it doesn’t make the loss any less devastating or poignant. For those who have already dealt with arranging a loved one’s funeral in the past, help from a funeral director has proven to be a blessing. And for those who have to plan a funeral for the first time, a funeral director’s expertise can be even more so. There are many intricacies involved in planning someone’s funeral, and with a funeral director’s advice and services, the entire process can be much less taxing. Here’s what you can really expect from a funeral director: your top questions answered.
Before the funeral
The funeral director can be with you from the first day of your loved one’s death until after the funeral service is finished, but before the funeral, the funeral director can take charge of certain aspects, which include:
- The deceased’s transfer to the chosen mortuary can also assist if you prefer your loved one to remain at their home. If the person passed away abroad, the funeral director could also liaise with the repatriation provider.
- They were organizing for the person who died to be held at either a chapel or other place of rest so their relatives and friends can view them before the funeral.
- The placement of death notices in local/national newspapers.
- Management and advice regarding legal documents and paperwork.
- Advice on the different aspects of arranging a funeral, such as the types of funeral services, options in terms of caskets and coffins, flowers, catering, music, priests or other celebrants, types of memorials, and donations.
On the day of the funeral
The funeral director, such as the funeral directors Leeds families depend on from Carroll & Carroll Independent Funeral Services, will have a critical role on the day of the funeral, as follows:
- Ensuring that the whole service will run as smoothly as possible and according to the wishes of the deceased or your wishes.
- Checking every single detail of the service, from the arrangement of transport for the deceased and their family/close friends as well as overseeing the procedures and entire service at the crematorium or cemetery.
- Making sure to collect attendance cards or obituary cards, so you will know who has attended.
After the funeral
Once the funeral is finished, the funeral director can still have particular roles and tasks. For instance, they can arrange for the deceased to be transferred to another place or location. If the deceased has been cremated, they can arrange for a transfer of the ashes as well. They can also make arrangements for the donations and flowers to be given to the relevant organization, charity, or people, and the funeral director can organize the headstone to be installed at a suitable period after the burial, or the ashes have been placed.
Needless to say, the professional help you can get from a funeral director is certainly welcome, and if you would like time for you and everyone else to come to terms with the passing of your loved one and not have to deal with difficult tasks, the funeral director can be your best support.