When a loved one passes away, funeral planning can feel extremely overwhelming and stressful. Not only do you want to give your loved one the respect they deserve, but you also have to work on a budget, a timeline, and with other family members. The professionals at Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis, NC, have been assisting individuals in the funeral planning process for years. If you’re in charge of the funeral arrangement for a loved one, consider the following tips to help this difficult time go smoothly.

5 Steps in Funeral Planning

1. Allow Time to Grieve

Yes, funeral planning is important when a loved one passes away, but it’s also essential for your healing to allow time to grieve. Permitting yourself to feel the sad and conflicting emotions that come with death will help you keep a clear head when making arrangements and ensures your loved one will be remembered in the manner they deserve.

2. Make a Checklist

Making arrangements for a funeral comes with several responsibilities. Making a checklist to keep track of the tasks you need to complete and important dates to remember will help you from feeling overwhelmed. If additional family members are willing to help, divvy up the checklist to ease some of the strain on one person handling the arrangements.

3. Pre-Arrangements

When your loved one dies, you’ll need to begin pre-arrangement planning to ensure certain required tasks are completed and the actual funeral details are sorted out. You will need to arrange to have the body transported from the place of death to a funeral home or other destination. If your loved one didn’t leave behind a plan for how they want their funeral handled, you’ll need to decide on things like burial or cremation and what kind of service you want.

4. Funeral Services

Once arrangements have been made, you’ll want to have a cohesive idea in place for what will occur during the funeral services. Perhaps other family members will want to speak or you’ll do a gathering at a place that was special to your loved one. This step will involve meeting with a funeral director to put your loved one’s funeral planning into action.

5. Resting Place Decisions

If your loved one wanted to be buried, you’ll need to work with cemetery officials to obtain a plot and arrange burial. Many funeral home directors will help you along during this process but speak with them about the services they provide. If cremation was chosen, consider where your loved one will be kept; however, if you wish to spread their ashes, you’ll want to check your state’s laws on this subject.

You don’t need to be alone and juggle various responsibilities during this difficult time. The professionals at Whitley’s Funeral Home have assisted families in Cabarrus and Rowan Counties for over 100 years with bereavement and funeral planning. If you’re located in the area and are looking for professional but compassionate assistance when making arrangements for your loved one’s funeral, call 704-933-2222 to find out what Whitley’s can do for you. To view more of their services, visit their website.