How do I arrange a funeral?
Read our guide to planning a funeral if you would like help and advice organising the funeral of a loved one. We include a step-by-step guide to planning a funeral service.
Shropshire Funerals are independent, family-run funeral directors based in Oswestry, Shropshire. Our trusted team of experienced funeral directors are here to guide you through each step at difficult times.
Arranging a funeral
Having to arrange a funeral during what is already an extremely difficult time is not ideal for anyone.
However, having an adequate understanding of what is involved in planning a funeral and how to deal with any problems will help. Most funerals will be arranged by the person's nearest relatives or close friends.
If no one is available to arrange the funeral, then the local or health authority will arrange a simple service. The deceased may leave instructions on the kind of funeral and burial they wanted. However, there is no legal obligation for these instructions to be carried out, but they usually are.
Most funerals are arranged using a funeral director. Although, you could arrange a funeral without one if you wanted, and your local funeral home, cemeteries or crematorium department should be able to offer you help and guidance.
Step-by-step Guide To Planning A Funeral Service
Funeral plans are an essential part of the whole process.
To help provide your loved one with a unique and bespoke send-off, there are an array of details and arrangements you will need to consider.
These details include such things as arranging transport for the funeral, deciding on a coffin, and choosing any music and readings for the service.
Whether you are planning for a loved one or you are thinking about preparing your own funeral in advance, it is essential that you take your time when making any critical decisions with funeral services.
01
Planning A Funeral Ahead Of Time
While most funerals are typically arranged after someone dies, an increasing number of people are now choosing to plan their funeral arrangements in advance and pay the money for any funeral costs themselves.
If you have recently lost a loved one, you may discover that they have had their funeral pre-paid for already and have documented their wishes for the service.
If this is not the case, then your selected funeral director will support you through the funeral planning process.
02
Choosing A Type Of Service
When planning a funeral, the first measure is to decide what kind of service you would like to arrange for your recently passed loved one.
When planning a funeral, you can base the day on religious preferences or family traditions.
You can include anything you feel would be appropriate when celebrating the life of your loved one.
Whether you have chosen burial or cremation, your appointed funeral directors will be there to help you plan the funeral and make all of the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
03
Picking A Service Venue And Date
A large part of the funeral planning process is deciding on where to hold the service. You can hold a funeral ceremony in any suitable venue. Typical venues to hold a funeral service include crematorium chapels, churches and other places of worship, village halls, private homes and hotels.
If you decide you want to have a religious service, the minister or officiant will offer you a plethora of advice on how to plan a funeral service and help guide you with what you can and cannot do.
You will then need to decide on a suitable date for the funeral service to take place. The date you choose may often depend on things like the availability of the funeral director or crematoria, religious beliefs and family circumstances.
04
Religious or Non-religious Funerals
Religious funerals will typically include meaningful and unique traditions throughout the funeral preparations and service.
An experienced funeral director will be familiar with planning all kinds of funerals for families of all different religions, faiths and backgrounds. If you are planning a religious funeral, arrangements can usually be made to accommodate the traditional and spiritual needs of your family members and your loved one's wishes.
If your loved one did not have religious beliefs, humanist or non-religious funerals can be catered for too. You are free to choose whatever kind of service you wish to have.
Whether that includes music, readings, popular funeral poems, or any other type of tribute, your selected funeral directors will help you organise a funeral service that will best commemorate the life of your loved one.
05
Choosing A Type Of Coffin
Choosing a suitable coffin for your loved one is one of the most important things to consider when you are planning their funeral.
Suppose you decide on a burial funeral service. In that case, you might be allowed to place personal items inside the coffin or casket, so it is worth keeping this in mind when planning the service.
Some of the most common items placed inside coffins include photographs, letters, jewellery and flowers. It is also worth considering who to have to carry the coffin or casket.
06
Music And Readings To Include
Many people will choose to personalise the service with prayers, hymns, and readings when planning a funeral. The person leading the funeral service, or a close friend or relative, will usually speak about the person who has died.
Poetry and passages can be included in the service, and friends and family can take part in this.
If whoever is delivering the service did not know the person who died, you must ensure they know some of their personal details, including the name they were known by.
You could include a loved one's favourite music at the funeral, or you may wish to choose a famous funeral poem to be read. If your loved one was a religious person, you could include some popular hymns or spiritual readings.
07
Creating An Order Of Service
A funeral service is an incredibly personal event, and people will often have diverse requirements.
Funeral Order of service booklets will typically provide a ceremony schedule. They can be handed out to mourners as they arrive or sent out to people who cannot attend.
The order of service can include things like songs, hymns, poems, photographs or readings to create a unique commemoration of that person's life. It can become a remarkable memory to keep forever; for your family and friends who came to say their goodbyes.
08
Flowers Or Charitable Donations
Most people will choose to have beautiful flowers and floral tributes included in the funeral as a memorial to honour their loved ones.
You may also wish to select an organisation or charity for people to donate to in place of flowers.
09
Arranging Funeral Transport
On the day of the funeral, the hearse will transport the coffin to the location of the service. The hearse is typically followed by limousines or other fancy cars that carry close family and friends.
Choosing chauffeured vehicles will mean that you won't have to worry about parking, driving arrangements or arriving at the service on time.
You might want to ensure their final journey is even more personal by picking a hearse or alternative form of transport that celebrates your loved one's life which can be a suitable tribute.
You may also wish to arrange a particular route for the funeral procession; this could begin at the home of the person who has passed away or at a different personal location. Your funeral director should have extensive knowledge of route planning for funeral processions and can advise you on school times or bus routes to ensure that the journey runs as smoothly as possible.
10
Writing An Obituary
An obituary is an article printed in the local newspaper that announces the death of someone. Obituaries usually offer an account of the person's life and details about their upcoming funeral.
Writing and publishing an obituary in the local paper will help to celebrate the life and times of your loved one.
After the funeral, you could also post a 'thank you' message in the paper to thank everyone who attended and sent flowers and donations.
11
Organising A Wake
Wakes celebrate the life of the deceased and are typically less formal than the funeral ceremony. After the funeral service, organising a wake or reception will allow family and friends to gather together to remember a loved one and celebrate their life in a more relaxed and informal environment.
If you decide to hold a wake, you will need to consider booking a suitable venue close to the service and providing refreshments such as food and drink for attending guests.
Are you looking for an independent funeral director in Shropshire? Our family run funeral director service provides support for you and your loved ones during the funeral arrangement and service.