There are many benefits to funeral preplanning. When you pass on, and funeral arrangements are not made beforehand, surviving family members and loved ones must make these decisions at the time of death. Planning while you’re grieving can be difficult for your loved ones. Preplanning takes the burden off your family members and friends and allows them to celebrate your life according to your wishes. Here’s what’s involved in the process. 

What Does Funeral Preplanning Involve?

1. Burial

Decide if you would prefer burial over cremation, or vice versa. Consider your religious and cultural traditions, as well as your values when making this decision. Cremation can be considered more environmentally friendly, as there is no body or casket to bury. Also, if you move in the future or you’re not sure what to do with the ashes following cremation, you’ll have time to decide.

On the other hand, a burial provides a physical location for loved ones to visit and may be required by some religions like Catholicism and Judaism. If you choose cremation and you’d like to scatter the ashes, follow the local regulations and laws.

2. Funeral Service

A funeral service gives your loved ones a chance to speak about you and honor your memory. When planning the funeral service, think about where you’d like it to be held, such as a church, a park, a loved one’s home, or any location that’s meaningful to you. Consider how many people might attend and the logistics of the service; for example, if you expect many friends and family to speak or share photos and videos, you’ll want a location that will make it easier for everyone to do so.

3. Post-Funeral Gathering

Finally, a post-funeral gathering, also called a reception, allows your loved ones to talk to each other and share memories in a less structured setting. As with the funeral service location, choose a convenient place for your reception where people can gather together comfortably.

People typically eat and drink while spending time together during this gathering. The food and beverages served will vary depending on your family traditions, preferences, or heritage. If you’re not sure what to serve, make your reception a potluck, where everyone attending brings their own dish. Also, you could have the event catered by your favorite restaurant so that your loved ones don’t have to worry about cooking.

Thinking about final arrangements can feel emotional, but funeral preplanning benefits you and your family mentally and financially. When you’re ready to begin planning, look to Arndt Funeral Home LLC in Rochester, NY. They are a locally owned, full-service funeral home that makes planning easy. Call (585) 225-6350 or visit them online to learn more.