Planning a funeral ensures that the details are already ironed out when you or a loved one has passed. According to Policygenius, there are about 2.4 million funerals nationwide every year. Many of these are planned ahead of time. If you’re interested in ensuring loved ones don’t have to deal with the burden of a funeral when someone passes away, pre-planning is a great option.

Choose a Funeral Home

The first step in planning a funeral is choosing a funeral home. Take the time to research local funeral homes in the area and read reviews from other families who have worked with them. Then, contact the business to set up an appointment. They will review various options with you, including selecting a casket, embalming or preparations, dealing with paperwork, and anything else you’d like at your funeral.

Select a Type of Service

Next, you’ll work with the same funeral home to select the type of service. Many opt for a small memorial service followed by a drive to the cemetery. However, if you want to be cremated, you may not want everyone to head to a cemetery afterward. Consider whether you want specific cultural or religious traditions followed at the service.

Pick the Type of Burial

Having a casket lowered into the ground with a headstone or monument remains a popular option, but that is not the only one. Some people choose to be cremated, which is the most affordable option. You can still have a headstone at a cemetery if you are cremated. Others want to be entombed in a mausoleum. Select the type of burial, or lack of it, that you wish before picking a cemetery.

Find the Right Cemetary

Finding a cemetery for a traditional burial is relatively simple. If you’d like to be entombed, you must work with a graveyard with mausoleum space. Some cemeteries have limited space open in mausoleums, or it has all been reserved by other people who have pre-planned their funerals. Take the time to contact local cemeteries to ensure you can be laid to rest how you prefer.

We understand that pre-planning funerals can be an emotional time for everyone involved, especially if you’re planning one for a loved one. We offer every service you need, including bereavement counseling, to make the process seamless. Reach out to us at Flinch & Bruns Funeral Home so we can help you through this stressful time.