When you lose a loved one, it’s hard to think about much else. However, planning a funeral service and final resting place for your friend or relative can allow you solace in a trying time. Whether you’re not sure where to start or having trouble choosing the right monument for your loved one’s grave site, use the following tips to help guide the process.

3 Tips for Planning a Funeral Service

1. Meeting a Funeral Director

When planning a funeral for your loved one, you don’t have to go through the entire process on your own. At a funeral home, you’ll have a professional by your side who can offer valuable insight into the industry and the options you might like. Whether you conduct research online or are referred by a friend, meet each director in person to see how accommodating they are and how comfortable you feel in their presence. Their help will be invaluable to the rest of your funeral planning experience.

2. Planning the Service

If your loved one left detailed instructions or outlined their wishes for a funeral, start considering how to fulfill these requests. Did they request a burial and a Catholic service? Did they ask for cremation and a non-denominational scattering ceremony? If they didn’t conduct any pre-planning or leave instructions in their will, consult with friends and family to build a service your loved one would have appreciated. Consider where you would like to hold the service, whether you would like readings or songs performed, if there should be a wake or visitation, and who will write the eulogy. 

3. Designing the Site

While the funeral service will be a momentous and memorable occasion, you’ll also need to consider the spot your loved ones will return to for years to come. Will they pay their respects in a graveyard with a headstone? What will be inscribed on the monument, and will there be an illustration of your loved one? If they chose cremation, will their ashes be placed in a columbarium and marked by a custom engraving? 

If you’re in the midst of the funeral service planning process, turn to Gibney Monument Works of Perry, NY, for help designing the ideal marker. They offer custom engravings for headstones, plaques, grave markers, and a variety of other monuments. Whether you’re envisioning a monument made of granite, bronze, or something else entirely, call them at (585) 237-2750 to start communicating your vision. You can also learn more about their past work by visiting their website.