For so many of us, the thought of a loved one passing away is understandably daunting. No one wants to think ahead to losing someone but sadly it is something that needs thought and preparation. During such an overwhelming time, your family will have to decide 100 things at the last minute. Pre-planning can allow family to peacefully process their grief. (Image Credit: Carolynabooth/Pixabay)
Being prepared can make the situation so much less stressful and emotional. Whether currently planning a funeral or making advanced arrangements, it’s important to learn about all the available options. Here is everything you need to know to help make your decision easier.
What is a Funeral Home?
Funeral homes provide the facilities, equipment, and staff necessary to care for the body. Moreover, they help commemorate the life of the deceased. These special businesses maintain licenses from their state. A funeral director is a qualified representative from the funeral home who works with your family throughout the process. These trained professionals take care of the arrangements regarding care, preparation and final resting place of the deceased. They are alternatively referred to as “morticians” or “undertakers.”
Crematorium Service by Funeral Homes
Making a choice of disposition is probably the biggest decision of the process. Cremation is one of the most common performances of burial provided by funeral homes. The experts at one crematory in Cumming, Georgia explain that despite the fact that it has been around for some 2000 years, cremation can be a bit of a mystery. After all, most people never see what happens behind the scenes. Cremations are very common in Georgia and other states in the US. However, burial is more common elsewhere. Having a funeral director explain how the process works and help ease the anxiety that you may feel.
Modern crematories have improved the method a lot by using industrial furnaces specially designed for cremation. Throughout the process, funeral homes and directors take care to properly identify the deceased. Of course, the procedure is safe and operated with care and respect. Some funeral homes allow family members to witness the cremation, however, space is usually limited so check with your funeral director to find out the number of people who can attend.
What is the Role of a Funeral Home?
Funeral homes and funeral directors handle the many steps in the caring process. This includes handling the needs for someone who is deceased, and arrange the funeral and memorial services for their loved ones. Below are some of the essential tasks that a funeral home will usually handle:
Care:
- 24-hour on-call: Funeral homes serve families immediately when a death occurs. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Transportation of the deceased: Funeral homes help remove and transfer the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home or to the crematory if necessary.
- Professional care for the deceased: Funeral homes help arrange and perform care services. This includes embalming, sanitary washing, restorative art, dressing, casketing, hairdressing, and cosmetology, as requested by the family.
- Paperwork administration: Funeral homes formulate and file paperwork, such as the death certificate, death notices and obituaries. They also help with death claim benefits for the family.
Planning:
- Funeral plan consultation: Funeral directors arrange a consultation with family members. Here, they gather necessary information, assist in funeral plans, and arrange the details of the funeral service.
- Stationery service: Funeral homes provide stationery products such as register books, memorial folders, caskets, vaults, urns, acknowledgment cards, etc. They also provide music, flowers, and other elements of the funeral.
- Funeral service direction: Funeral homes offer assistance by contacting ancillary supports. This includes the family’s choice of clergy, officiants, musicians, singers to be present at the funeral. They also provide transportation for deceased and family members if required.
- Professionally direct the chosen funeral services: Funeral homes will organize and handle your family’s chosen funeral in a professional manner, from visitation to funeral service, to processional and disposition of remains.
- Detailed arrangements: Funeral homes can help contact and arrange important details with the crematory, cemetery, and other options of disposition required by the family, as well as inquiring about fees, regulations, and requirements prior to certain services.
The death of your loved one is difficult to face; the emotion is raw and there is a lot to take care of. During these difficult moments, having a reliable funeral home with a supportive funeral director is essential. In fact, it can really help make the experience so much easier. Remember that a good funeral home will always customize the service to the deceased and your family’s wishes.