Planning a funeral service for a loved one who lives miles away can be challenging. Whether you’re across the state or the country, you can still plan a fitting ceremony with the help of a funeral home. However, before you consult with these professionals, it’s best to make a few other choices, as highlight below, to ensure the process is smooth.

How to Plan a Funeral Service Remotely

1. Choose a Location

Think about whether your loved one’s current location is the best place to hold a funeral service. If they passed away in their hometown, then it may be best to hold a service there. If they were in an assisted living facility miles away from their hometown—and many of their friends and family live near the facility—then it may be best to hold the ceremony in that location. Make sure to choose a site that is both meaningful for the loved one and convenient for others to travel to. 

2. Select Cremation or Burial

Next, decide if you want a cremation or a burial. If you select the former, you can pick up your loved one’s ashes after arranging the cremation. You can then fly or drive back home with the cremains. 

If you select a burial, however, call a local funeral home and discuss methods to transport the body. They’ll need to embalm your loved one within 48 hours of their passing before you can obtain a burial transit permit to move the body across state lines. They can then arrange transport for your loved one by car for short distances or by air for longer distances. 

3. Ask for Comprehensive Services

When you talk with funeral directors over the phone, they’ll provide you with a list of funeral costs. This can help you choose what you want based on your budget. Ask what comprehensive services they offer—from providing vendors for flowers to arranging a wake—and make sure they can arrange the service in your absence. Once you arrive, you can discuss any last details, including distributing obituaries and setting visitation hours. 

Whether you live in the area or 100 miles away, planning a funeral service is never easy. This is why the team at Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive service for the families of Rochester, NY. For more than 40 years, this family-owned and -operated home has been providing respectful service at affordable costs. Visit them online to browse their services or call (585) 426-7830.