1. What Were the Wishes of the Deceased?
The first question to ask your family before a funeral service is what the wishes of the
deceased might have been. You want to ensure that when planning a funeral that you are satisfying their wishes and requests, giving them the final send-off that they wanted.
For example, our loved one might have died wanting to be cremated, but other family
members might not be aware of this or not want to go through with this option. This kind of oversight can not only be very upsetting, but it can also lead to irreparable damage to relationships between surviving family members.
2. Should I do a Burial or Cremation?
This is one of the biggest questions to your family before a funeral service. If the deceased did not leave any specific instructions, then this is a major consideration to make. Cremation can go against certain religious beliefs, so it is important to keep this in mind when deciding between a burial and a cremation.
Before choosing either option, you should make sure that you understand exactly what each option entails and how this impacts the ceremony you have.
3. Where Will the Remains be Located?
Once you have decided between a burial or cremation, the next questions to ask your family is where the remains will be located. If you have opted for a burial, then the most common location for this would be the local churchyard. However, in recent years some people are now opting to be buried in natural woodlands or private land. If you are opting for this, then you need to ensure that you are getting the agreement of the landowner and all relevant parties.
If you are opting for a cremation, then you will need to decide whether the remains will be kept in an urn at a family member’s home or whether they will be spread at a certain location. Many people opt to scatter their loved one’s ashes in a place that meant a lot to them, but again make sure you are getting the permission of the landowners before doing this.
4. Will There be a Viewing?
When it comes to questions to ask family members before a funeral service, the choice of whether there will be a viewing or not is an important one. This is a very personal decision, and some attendees, particularly those with small children, might be uncomfortable with having the body on view. In some cases, you might want to do an open casket viewing initially for those who want one before having a closed casket funeral for the rest of the attendees.
Whichever option you choose, ensuring it is being held in a respectable place will ensure
that every guest will be able to say goodbye in a way that they are most comfortable with.
5. Which Funeral Director will you Choose?
The final question to ask your family before a funeral service is which funeral director or funeral home you are going to choose. This is another very important consideration to make, as they will be responsible for helping you to make big decisions and guiding you through the complex and difficult process.
Here at Stark Funeral Professionals, Inc., we have been a resource for grieving families for over 100 years. We know how challenging planning a funeral can be, which is why our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to help you. We are able to help plan a wide choice of funeral services, ensuring your loved one gets the service that they deserve. So if you are looking for a funeral home that can help you make the best decision for the deceased and your family, get in touch with us today.
