Losing a loved one is never an easy thing to experience. Being prepared to handle this will make matters easier for everyone involved. This guide will help you with the steps to arranging a funeral. We’ll take you through the steps of arranging a funeral — from making the first call when someone dies to the various matters to be handled following the funeral.
First Call
When a person passes away, the first step is to make the First Call. This is needed to arrange for having the deceased transported to a funeral home or morgue. Often this is initiated by a family member or person responsible for the final arrangements of the deceased. A person may need to be flown or driven to their final resting place in some situations. If this extra step is involved, you’ll want to make sure these transportation decisions have been made ahead of time.
Memorial Services
Planning a service involves making many important decisions concerning funeral services, funeral products, and the body’s final disposition. Any one of our Funeral Directors at Peninsula Funeral Home can assist with this process. If you pre-plan, you can make these decisions instead of having your family members make the decisions on their own.
Cemetery Arrangements
In most situations, it makes sense to have a cemetery property purchased. If you do not have a cemetery property purchased, this will create an extra step for your family. The good news is that we can help your family out with the process of finding a final resting place.
Funeral and Memorial Products
There are various options for purchasing caskets, grave markers, and other funeral merchandise. These products are available through a funeral home, cemetery, monument company, or other retailers. Every individual has final wishes, so you can decide what’s appropriate in your situation. Another overlooked issue is having your Obituary pre-written. This is something you can do and have a copy readily available to your loved ones.
Administrative Matters
Following the funeral, it’s important to make sure financial and administrative matters are addressed. These include sending death notices to financial institutions, public utilities, credit reporting agencies, burial insurance companies, and several other entities. It’s always wise to have a list of creditors that would need to be made whole with your other important financial documents. This gives your family insight into who they’ll need to contact.
Making Funeral Arrangements if Death is Imminent
If a friend or loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it’s always a good idea to begin deciding. This allows you a final chance to work together and make sure last wishes will be honored.
