First and foremost, we are sorry for your loss. We know how hard it is to grieve and have to do practical things, like arranging the end-of-life service at the same time.

Why? There are a lot of things to think about when making funeral arrangements. You’ve got to not only file the death certificate, find a great limousine provider like Limo Find, and find a funeral home but handle the emotional stress of loss.

Together, let’s go through the steps of preparing for a funeral.

1. Find a Funeral Provider

You’ll need some help along the way. A funeral provider will make arrangements easier and less overwhelming.

It may not necessarily be a choice. Some states even legally require you to use a funeral provider and home for your service.

There are some factors you should consider when you choose your funeral provider.

Costs and packages will vary, but every funeral provider should give an itemized general price list. This list shows the services and what they cost. You’ll want to compare prices from a few places if the price is a factor.

You’ll also want to consider the location and reputation of the funeral home.

The funeral provider will help you choose a funeral type, as well as set a date and time and cover most of the details of the ceremony like burial products. They will be your guide.

2. Get Death Certificate Before Making Funeral Arrangements

You’ll need to obtain a death certificate.

The death certificate has important details that you will need, like social security number, cause of death, and location of death. This certificate will be used to collect life insurance, as well as close credit cards or any accounts.

3. Give Basic Information

Then you’ll need to give some basic information to the funeral provider, some of this stuff they can get from the death certificate, but most you’ll have to give.

They’ll need to know when you want the services, what your relationship is to the deceased, who the next of kin is, and so on. The funeral provider will ask a bunch of questions, you just need to provide the answers and they’ll take care of the rest.

4. Plans for Payment

You’ll want to make plans for payment with relatives or from savings of the deceased. Work with the funeral director to figure out a payment package that works for you.

5. Notify of Passing

One of the most disheartening portions of making funeral arrangements is notifying other loved ones of the passing.

While the immediate family may already know your loved one is deceased, there are extended family members, neighbors, old classmates, etc. that have to be informed of their passing.

You should also write, or have someone else write, an obituary to put out in the newspaper and online.

6. The Details and Decorations

There are a few details that may seem minor when planning but should have some forethought.

You may want to get flowers and old photos out to decorate the funeral home for the services.

You’ll also need to figure out transportation to the funeral home. Some people choose to ride in limos for their loved one’s service.

Don’t forget to pick out your outfit ahead of time so that you have something appropriate for the services.

7. Emotionally Prepare

Take a moment for yourself before the funeral. A lot of work has gone into this service, and now that the day has come you can take a deep breath and grieve your loved one.

It’s Okay to Grieve

There is nothing that we can say that can dull the pain of the death of a loved one. Making funeral arrangements can be hard, reach out to those around you, and your funeral provider, for support.

If you’re looking for more information like this, check out the rest of our blog.