No one likes to think about the possibility of passing away, but it is important to plan for a funeral in advance. When planning a funeral or memorial service for yourself, there are many things that you have to take into consideration for your final wishes.
These decisions include the financial aspects of planning final arrangements in addition to the type of ceremony that you would like to have in order to fufill your final wishes. This article will provide some tips on how to plan your own funeral.
Shop Around for Funeral Homes
One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing a funeral home. Look for one that has experience in arranging funerals for self-planned funerals. They should be able to provide you with guidance and advice on what needs to be done. Please read What Does the Funeral Planning Process Entail? by the Neptune Society for more funeral planning tips.
Burial or Cremation?
You will also need to decide whether you want a burial or cremation. If you choose a burial, you will need to buy a plot. This can be done directly from the funeral home or at your local cemetery office.
If you have chosen cremation, you will also need to decide on an urn for your ashes. There are many different types of urns available and it is important that this decision fits in with what type of memorial service or ceremony you would like to have after your death.
It may seem strange but there are even themed urns out there such as sports icons. You could also consider scattering your remains somewhere special instead if a traditional method doesn’t fit in with how you want people to remember you.
Do You Want a Traditional Funeral, or a Memorial Service?
Another factor which should be considered when planning funerals for yourself is whether to have a traditional service or not. Do you imagine wanting to be honored with a traditional funeral, or a more personalized funeral? Although it is important for people to come together and share the memories of your life, this may be an option you want to consider if you are introverted or perhaps don’t even know many people anymore.
Memorial services are similar to funerals, the difference being that memorial services are performed after the cremation process has taken place. For more information, read our blog post on Funeral or Memorial Services With Cremation.
Funeral Costs
It is common for most people to not consider the costs of funeral arrangements until it is time for their own. Now more than ever, people are opting to cut expenses by doing things themselves. Planning your own burial or cremation can save time and money, especially during a difficult time when you may be grieving. You can learn how to plan your own funeral by following these steps.
Selecting an Urn
First, if cremation is your choice, you will need to select an urn that can hold cremated remains. Many crematories require the cremated remain be placed in some type of container, which they will provide for free.
If cremation is not your only option (in case you later change your mind), you will need the cremated remains to be placed in an urn or other container. You can purchase cremation urns online, but make sure you are aware of the time it takes for delivery before making your decision. Many crematories also provide containers for cremated remain, which can then be buried or stored at home.
Cremation Planning
Second, you will need to make arrangements for cremation with crematory. If cremation is your only option, you can arrange this with the crematory before the death of the person. If cremation is not your only option (in case you later change your mind), you can wait until after the funeral has taken place.
As far as costs go, cremation costs less than traditional burial. According to the National Funeral Director’s Association In 2021, traditional burials can cost over $7,000, whereas funeral services with cremation cost around $6,000.
These costs can vary depending on which services you choose, and can be reduced if you preplan your cremation. It should be noted that the crematory charges for cremating the body and placing it into an urn. They also charge for paperwork because cremation is illegal in some states without proper documentation.
Additional Funeral Arrangements
There will also need to be decisions about what songs would like played at your funeral, as well as any readings that might take place. The internet has made finding these things much easier compared with how it used to be in the past.
You should also think carefully about who will make speeches during your ceremony – family members can often find this difficult but sometimes others such as close friends may wish they could say something too so it is important that everyone involved knows what needs doing before hand.
You should also consider what you want to have engraved on your headstone or urn. This can be a difficult decision but it is one that will be appreciated by future generations who visit your grave. Some people choose quotes or religious verses while others opt for more personal messages.
You may also want to have your burial plot to be in a specific location, such as a national cemetery or a town or region that holds special importance to you and your loved ones, such as your home town. Preplanning your cemetery arrangements can ensure that your wishes for your final resting place are fufilled.
Making Your Own Funeral Plans Can Save Money, Time and Stress
Planning your own funeral can seem like a daunting task, but with the help of a professional and some careful thought it can be an incredibly meaningful experience for those left behind.
If you are interested in preplanning your funeral, or want to know more about how much it costs, please contact National Cremation. We have a variety of options available for families who wish to plan ahead and protect their loved ones from having to make these decisions at time of need.
Plan Your Funeral Arrangements With National Cremation Today
Preplanning your own funeral or memorial service is one way that you can ensure that those closest to you will be cared for during this difficult time. National Cremation can provide you with a funeral director who can take care of all of your family’s needs, including services such as funeral planning and memorial services.
National Cremation is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of simple and affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan your cremation services in advance, we’re always available to assist you and your family. Contact us online or call (855)-469-9474 today.
