Shortly after the passing of a loved one, you'll likely need to meet with a funeral home to make service arrangements. During this trying time, it can be difficult to plan for these meetings, and distressing to find yourself unprepared. Before you speak with a funeral director, consider the following questions to prepare yourself.

Factors to Consider Before Meeting With the Funeral Home

1. Do You Want Someone With You?

A difficult task can be made a little easier with the presence of someone who is loving and supportive. Consider bringing a spouse, sibling, or close friend with you to the funeral home to offer comfort during the planning process.

2. Who Is Making the Final Decisions?

Your loved one may have left wishes regarding who should make their funeral arrangements. Otherwise, the task falls first to a spouse, then to an adult child, and then to a parent or sibling. The responsible party will need to be present for funeral planning to proceed.

3. Should Someone Else Be Included?

While, legally, one party has the final responsibility for arranging matters with the funeral home, there may be both emotional and financial reasons to include other family members and loved ones. Consider who should have input into the funeral plan, and reach out to involve them.

4. Do You Have the Necessary Paperwork?

The funeral home will need several documents, as death is a legal matter as well as an emotional one. Bring your loved one's birth certificate, marriage certificate, and will, as well as military discharge papers and a durable power of attorney, if applicable.

5. Did Your Loved One Leave Instructions?

If the wishes of the deceased for the funeral are known, they can help ease the burden of planning. The deceased may have left pre-planning arrangements for their funeral, or recorded their requests in the will or with a family member. Bring any relevant documents to the funeral home when you come to help streamline the planning process.
 

If you need to meet with a funeral home you can trust, look no further than Adzima Funeral Home. These qualified professionals provide compassionate care and funeral services to Stratford, CT, residents. If you have lost a loved one, they will assist with funeral planning, memorial services, burial, cremation, and obituaries. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment at (203) 375-2200, or send their team a message online.