If a loved one has died or you are considering pre-planning for yourself, there are a few key steps in organizing a funeral. Whether the ceremony will be religious in nature or a simple, personalized memorial, it is important to know vital steps in the process. Here are five to remember.

Items to Remember When Planning Funeral Services

1. Decide Location & Officiant

If you choose to have the funeral at a funeral home or other location, select an officiant to conduct the services. This can be a non-denominational minister or even a family member or friend. For religious ceremonies, the funeral will most likely be at your place of worship and a leader in the religion will conduct services.

2. Choose Clothing & Jewelry

Select clothing, undergarments, jewelry, and any accessories to dress the deceased for burial. Items such as eyeglasses and jewelry can either be buried with them or returned to you or a loved one after the ceremony. Make sure to give the funeral home a recent picture so they can prepare the body and apply cosmetics properly.

3. Select Photos & Music

Details such as music during the service and photos of the deceased can be a fitting way to memorialize their life. Some funeral homes allow you to simply set up photo collages while others offer a digital option that scrolls during the service. Other details to consider are colors and types of flowers and a guest book for those attending to sign.

4. Ask Pallbearers & Speakers

Pallbearers will carry the casket as it moves from the funeral home to the burial site or a religious building. If you want someone who can’t bear the weight of the casket to be part of the ceremony, they can walk beside it with those carrying it. Also, choose a few readers to share religious passages or poems, and decide who will deliver the eulogy.

5. Plan the Order

Once you have an idea of how you want the funeral to run, write out a plan. This helps those chosen as part of the service know when to do their piece. You can even create a program for attendees to follow.

For more than 75 years, residents in New Haven County, CT, have trusted Porto Funeral Homes with providing compassionate funeral and burial services. Family-run, their professional staff ensures that grieving loved ones plan the best funeral service for the deceased. They also offer pre-arrangements for funerals when you are interested in pre-planning your own services. To learn more about the funeral home, call (203) 934-5000 for the West Haven location or (203) 467-3000 for their East Haven home. Visit their website for funeral options and cremation service information.