How do you select a funeral home after the sudden loss of your loved one?
The most important piece of information you need to know is that although decisions regarding funeral home selection need to be made quickly, they do not need to be made immediately.
Do not feel pressured to make this important decision before you have all of the information you need!
Over the years, I’ve developed a simple checklist to help in the funeral home selection process:
-
1. Ask a friend to research funeral homes for you. Many people will be asking you, “If there’s anything I can do to help please tell me.” Well, this task is something practical -- and necessary -- that a friend or other family member can help you with. m
-
2. Contact the clergy member or celebrant who will be officiating the service, and ask if there is a funeral home that he or she can recommend. This person have years of experience with the funeral homes in your area. He or she also knows your personal situation, and can almost certainly help steer you in the right direction. m
-
3. The coroner’s office or hospital may provide you with a list of funeral homes in the area. Funeral homes are something no one pays attention to, until you need one. So it’s quite possible that you may not know all your options. Make sure you have the most up to date information before starting your search. You could end up saving yourself a lot of time and stress, and maybe even a lot of money. m
-
4. If the funeral or burial will be taking place in another State, choose the funeral home in the State where your loved one will be laid to rest. This can be a complicated process, however, you needn’t be burdened by it. You have enough to deal with already. The funeral director in that State will make the necessary arrangements with a the funeral home where the death has occurred.
