When a death occurs, families must make several decisions regarding how to honor their loved one and put them to rest. In the midst of grieving, however, understanding funeral and burial options and making informed decisions can be difficult. That’s why many surviving relatives turn to the assistance of funeral directors and funeral planners. Each professional offers skilled services to guide individuals through the funeral planning process, but it’s important to recognize that their capabilities are somewhat different. To help you understand your options, here are a few distinctions to note between funeral directors and planners.

What Does a Funeral Director Do?

Funeral directors are employees of a designated funeral home that have the duty of helping families through the planning process. Typically, these individuals begin working with families as soon as the death is reported, and may offer support well after services have occurred.

If the deceased pre-planned their funeral, these professionals will walk families through the plans and make sure all final wishes are met. If there were no plans, funeral directors will help arrange the details of a funeral service—including clergy participation and venue booking. They will also introduce families to many different aspects of funeral planning, such as ordering death certificates and arranging burial and cremation services. With a comprehensive understanding of funeral products, directors also present a variety of caskets, urns, and memorial markers that may be purchased.

One of the most important qualifications of a funeral director is that they are licensed and insured. Licensing is only possible after a professional has met all examination requirements to prove their understanding of best industry practice. Insurance, on the other hand, provides peace of mind to families that they will not be held financially responsible for any potential mistakes that occur during planning.

What Does a Funeral Planner Do?

Like a director, funeral planners have a deep understanding of the industry to help inform families on laws, products, and financial services that apply to the funeral planning process.

Planners, however, are not licensed and insured. As such, they may not follow the same industry guidelines as a director might. While some may work exclusively for a single funeral home, many planners can be hired on a freelance basis to help families explore their options through different providers. As such, funeral planners may be less expensive to hire than funeral directors. However, families should still expect to interact with a funeral director at some point when working with a planner.

If you are in need of compassionate funeral planning services, TP White & Sons Funeral Home offers extensive experience and resources to families in the Cincinnati, OH region. Serving the community since the 19th century, this provider is recognized for honoring the deceased with dignity and respect, while offering families flexible options to make planning affordable and personalized. Visit them online to learn more about how their funeral directors and planners can assist you. To speak with a caring professional directly, call (513) 231-7150.