Funeral planning can be a big responsibility but is a major step toward moving on from grief. If arranging the memorial service is too much for you to handle, you can hire a funeral planner to take care of things.

Residents of Middletown, NJ, can count on Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals for smooth funeral planning services. Their experienced staff is trained to provide your family with compassionate service and personal attention. They share some factors to consider when planning a funeral:

• Burial Or Cremation: If the deceased has stated his or her wishes in the last will or a funeral plan, then it should be followed. Otherwise, the immediate family will have to decide whether to go with the traditional earth burial or cremation.

• Service Venue: A traditional memorial service can either be held at the family’s church or a funeral home’s chapel. Nowadays, you can opt for a more personalized service to honor the deceased’s memory by holding it in a place that is meaningful to the family.

• Schedule Of Service: It may depend on the location of your choice, since the schedule may be tied to the package you choose. You also have to coordinate with those who wish to attend. You can arrange for an afternoon or evening service with either an outdoor or indoor setup.

• Funeral Conductor: It is the officiant’s duty to preside over the funeral. Traditional memorial services often require the presence of a religious leader who is familiar with the deceased’s faith. For a less traditional service, you can opt for a funeral celebrant.

• Flowers Or Donations: Most funeral attendees are used to sending sympathy flowers to express their condolences. In the past decade or so, families have had the option of using the phrase “In lieu of flowers...” to suggest donations. Consider this when sending out the death notices.  

Trust the experts at Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals when it comes to your funeral planning needs. They also offer funeral pre-arrangement and pre-planning. Call them today at (732) 787-1177 or visit their website for more information.