In some countries, a funeral involves washing the body, wrapping it in a sheet, and burying it on a slab in the cemetery. Mourners, of course, pay final respects and follow the body to its resting place, indicated only by a simple stone or wooden marker. Services like these are simple and inexpensive.
In developed countries, however, funerals tend to be more elaborate and costly. It seems like even those who lived in poverty and obscurity are destined to receive honorable mention at a public service. This can range from a closed casket and private service to a body's placement in a cathedral with burial under an imposing marble or granite monument.
Most of us are somewhere in the middle. We don't want to bury loved ones without a public show of some type. But we either shun or can't afford all the trappings of a state funeral that marks the passing of great or famous leaders.
If you've never given much thought to planning a funeral or burying a loved one, it's better to plan early than late. Find out all you can ahead of time so when the stress of grief hits, unexpectedly or otherwise, you will know what you need to do. Here are some types of funeral arrangements to consider:
1. Payment plans. Buying on the installment plan has found a niche in the funeral business. Now you can choose in advance which services you would like to have for your funeral or that of a loved one. Then make affordable monthly payments until the plan is paid in full or you pass on. Depending on the type of plan, there may be a payout of residual funds after the service is paid for. You also should know how much life insurance is available, along with other assets like bank accounts or saleable goods that may need to be sold to finance a funeral.
2. Cremation versus embalming. Some people prefer the idea of having their bodies cremated, or incinerated, at the time of death rather than being preserved. The ashes may be scattered in a public place, like a lake or woodland, or are placed in an urn that can be buried in a cemetery grave. Check local laws to find out about permissible ways of disposing of crematory remains. Embalming, on the other hand, preserves the body intact for dressing and viewing by guests at the funeral home. Appearing life-like and sleeping, the body wears clothes, spectacles, and perhaps shoes if desired, and may be posed to clutch a Bible, rosary, photograph, or other memento.
3. Burial customs. A body, embalmed or otherwise, will be placed in a wooden or metal casket for burial. This may be placed in a vault for added protection. A cemetery grave must be purchased separate from the funeral expenses; the body cannot be interred on private property or elsewhere. A graveside service may be held in addition to funeral home or church eulogies or services. Mourners will follow the body to the cemetery and wait for the coffin to be lowered into a waiting vault as a service, if any, is concluded.
4. Supplemental services. Viewing hours often are held at the funeral home. Sometimes these are scheduled the day before and the day of the funeral, or merely preceding the funeral. Background music can be softly played during viewing, and flowers sent by well-wishers will be arranged around the coffin. A sign-in register will be displayed at the entrance to the viewing room, and given to the family afterward. Legal documents may be procured for the family, such as death certificates and permission to open the grave. Announcements can be printed with the deceased person's dates of birth and death, funeral service location, burial destination, and a Scriptural verse if desired.
5. Family care and support. Counseling about funeral services, life insurance, veterans' benefits, and burial options is available to those who make arrangements for the deceased. In addition, the funeral service includes a limousine for transporting the family behind the hearse to the cemetery. Morticians will dress the body and arrange for a hair stylist to manage the hair and cosmetics. They also may serve as liaisons to a clergy representative if desired.
Funeral companies provide a valuable service to society. But it helps to understand the types of options that can be selected before you have to make unexpected decisions.
