The final goodbye

The final goodbye

Commonly Asked Questions About Working With a Funeral Director

by Monica Ruiz

Planning a funeral is a very difficult task for many people, and a funeral director can help to make it easier and more comfortable for the friends and family involved. However, if you've never planned a funeral, then you may not know what a funeral director does and how to work with him or her. Note a few commonly asked questions about funerals and a funeral director so you know more about what's involved in the planning process and how to work with this type of professional.

1. Can you still have a funeral with a cremation?

There is typically no reason that you cannot have a funeral if a person's remains have been cremated; the funeral might include photos of the deceased rather than a casket. The funeral director can advise you on how to manage this and how to allow guests to pay their final respects without the viewing of a body. In other cases, you might arrange for the cremation after the funeral has taken place.

2. How much personalisation can be included in a funeral?

A funeral director will usually encourage friends and family to personalise the funeral process and will be able to advise you on practices that may not be allowed or recommended in your area. As an example, you might imagine releasing hundreds of helium balloons at a funeral, but this might not be legal in your area because of the mess they would create once they deflate and descend. A funeral director might recommend the releasing of butterflies instead, and help you make those arrangements. If you prefer to have each guest leave a flower on the casket as it's being lowered into the ground, the funeral director can advise on how to order those flowers, or handle this task for you, and how to make them available during the service. Whatever your wishes for personalisation, discuss this with the funeral director beforehand for more guidance and recommendations.

3. What if you can't afford the funeral service?

Funeral services are like weddings and birthdays; the cost is often dependent on the options you choose. There are always basic costs for the funeral home and casket, but beyond that, there is no reason you shouldn't discuss your budget concerns with a funeral director. He or she might recommend affordable options for you, and some might even offer a financing arrangement so that you can pay for the funeral over time rather than before the funeral takes place.


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About Me

The final goodbye

Working in a funeral home means we give people a chance to say their final goodbye to loved ones. No matter how hard it is in the moment to let go, when they look back, they are always grateful when they look back to have had a chance to mourn with family and friends and say their final goodbye. Everyone mourns differently, so we have different services and structures to support people through the process of choosing all of the details of the service. If you are confused by the options available, keep reading. This site is an introduction to funeral services.