Plan Your Own Funeral Services

Maybe you have decided that it's time to plan your own funeral. Even you're young and healthy, that might be one of the best things you can do for those who will be left behind at the time of your death.

Don't worry if you have no clue of how to even get started on planning your funeral service. Pick a funeral home that is in your area and that has performed funeral services for your friends and family members. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time with the worker who will be helping you at the funeral home. 

You'll be asked if you want time allotted for visitation by friends and extended family members the evening before your funeral service. That will be helpful for those who won't be able to attend the actual service. You'll also be asked if you want the service held in the chapel at the funeral home, at your place of worship, or at the graveside. You might even have somewhere else in mind. The funeral director will work with you on that. 

Expenses will be discussed, too. For instance, will you want to buy a casket from the funeral home, or do you plan to build your own pine wood casket? Do you want to include the purchase of things like a guest book, programs, and flowers, or will your family take care of those items at the time of your death? 

Perhaps the workers at the funeral home will take care of bathing your body and of using the skills of a beautician. Will your family be dressing you in religious clothing? All of those things will be discussed at the meeting, too.

Maybe you know already that you will be wanting a limousine in addition to the hearse that will carry your body. That is an additional expense, as is the transfer from the place you died to the funeral home, and then to your final resting place. 

Besides the expenses involved and the logistics that have to be worked out, you will probably be given a memorial guide to be worked on at home. This is where you get to note things like hymns, scriptures, and poems that you want as part of the service. Think of choosing more than one or two speakers. Remember that there is no guarantee that the first ones on your list will be available at the time of your death.

Before you leave the funeral home, all paperwork will be put into a nice folder. Be sure to let your loved ones know where you will keep it. In addition, it will give your loved ones peace of mind if you will take the time to go over your plans with them.

Contact a company that offers funeral planning services to learn more.