When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, friends or family are sometimes tasked with funeral planning from a distance. This can be emotionally and logistically challenging as you try to make travel plans and handle the arrangements for your loved one. Here’s how to get it all done.

5 Remote Funeral Planning Tips 

1. Let Your Funeral Director Help

Funeral homes often offer comprehensive funeral planning services to take the burden off the bereaved. Ask the funeral director what additional services they can provide, and what resources they suggest. They likely have a list of trusted service providers so you can narrow down your options quickly.  

2. Reach Out to Locals

Don’t be shy about enlisting the help of friends and family in the area. The death of a loved one can bring families together, and the people around you will probably be eager to offer support in the form of recommendations and planning if you simply reach out. If the deceased was part of a religious community, there’s a good chance you’ll find help among the clergy and congregants there.  

3. Make Lists

Use one notebook to keep track of all your planning activities and keep it on hand at all times. You never know when you’ll have to field a call, and planning will go much smoother if the necessary information is always on hand.

4. Keep a Calendar and Stick to It

You’ll probably have to squeeze several appointments with vendors into one day when you arrive in the town where the funeral will take place. When creating a tightly packed schedule, ask each vendor how long you should block for the appointment, and be sure to leave yourself plenty of travel time between destinations. 

5. Don’t Neglect Your Own Needs

Amidst the planning and the grieving process, it can be easy to forget to tend to your own needs. Take time to eat well, sleep, and engage in activities you love as much as possible. You can’t take care of others if you haven’t taken care of yourself. Block time on your calendar to protect an hour or two each to ensure your personal needs are a priority, too.

Bolton & Lunsford Funeral Homes has served the families of Cincinnati, OH, since 1938 with compassionate, personalized funeral arrangements that honor your loved one’s life, values, and cultural traditions. From the moment you contact a funeral director, they will guide you through the funeral planning process to ensure each detail is attended to. They also offer pre-planning services so you can give yourself the gift of the funeral service you want — and relieve your family from the stress of future planning. Call (513) 661-4059 or reach out via their website to talk to a funeral director about planning a funeral that’s right for you or your loved one.