The Complete Guide to Preplanning a Funeral

There are several benefits to preplanning a funeral, one being that it ensures you get your money’s worth at funeral homes in Manhasset, NY, or anywhere else. But you need to know the exact services you want for this to be a valuable benefit.

That is why it is essential to know what a funeral preplan entails. Here is a comprehensive guide detailing everything you need to know.

• To Bury or Cremate?

Preplanning for a funeral, other than the context, is no different from planning for anything else. It is all about making choices. And the decision to bury or cremate is the biggest one.

Not just because disposition is the crux of a funeral, but it forms the type of services attached to it and the total cost.

Want family and friends to say their final goodbyes to your body along with a graveside burial? A traditional funeral service is the best.

Want to cremate? Families can still say their goodbyes, but there is no burial. There won’t be a body to embalm either, at least in the case of direct cremation.

Here are the services typically involved in either scenario.

Traditional Funeral Service:

• Viewing or Visitation
• Funeral Service
• Graveside Service
• Post-funeral Reception

Cremation:

• Direct Cremation
• Memorial Service
• Graveside/Committal Ceremony

It is possible to have a mix of both. A full-service cremation includes viewing and the funeral service. In some instances, the family can witness the cremation too.

• Obituary

How do you wish to share the news? It could be an obituary or a death notice. A death notice only contains key facts about the deceased’s life, including date of birth, date of death, name, and age.

An obituary, on the other hand, offers more details on their life and achievements.

If you opt for an obituary, will you write it for yourself or have someone do it? If it is the latter, will you have to pay them?

Also, consider the mode of distribution. Newspapers charge for publishing obituaries. But you could also set up a website and share the news on social media.

• Funeral Service Roles

Next, assign specific roles to family members and close friends. It allows them to contribute to the funeral in a meaningful way. You also get to figure out the functions that require professional help.

During preplanning, you should assign the following roles:

• Pallbearers
• Singers and musicians
• Ceremony officiant
• Eulogy readers
• Special guests(speakers)
• Attendees (individuals, organizations, etc.)

• Cost and Budget

There is no specific cost for all funeral services. Your total funeral costs depend on what you have preplanned. Aside from the price attached to each type of service, operational costs come with making the arrangements.

Here are some of the expenses you might need to plan for:

• Removal of remains
• Transportation
• Printing costs (funeral program, memorial keepsakes, etc.)
• Cemetery plot (includes burial vault for traditional funeral service)
• Interment fees
• Headstone or Grave marker

These are the basics of a preplan you need to come up with for a funeral. You don’t have to know everything. That is what directors of funeral homes in Manhasset, NY, are for, and you can reach our own at Roslyn Heights Funeral Home. Our experienced director will help you drill down on your preferences and develop a plan that honors you and your family. You can stop by our location or give us a call right now to get started.