Choosing a funeral home and making funeral arrangements after the death of a loved one is difficult. You are understandably grieving, and determining the best place to prepare your dear departed for their final rest can cause added stress. Brace yourself for new terminology and the need for decisiveness, even while you’re in mourning when making decisions is the last thing on your mind. 

Equipping yourself with knowledge beforehand may seem morbid. However, familiarizing yourself with the funeral process can lift a great weight from your shoulders in the event of a passing family member or dear friend. At Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory in Cumming, GA, we are here to provide you with whatever information, support, and end-of-life services you may need during this emotionally difficult time.

Such an occasion can be uncomfortable and awkward, especially if you are the next-of-kin, but discussing arrangements before a person passes can be a great help to those left behind. Whether you are thinking ahead about your own funeral or talking with a friend or family member about their final wishes, this is a meaningful conversation to be having.

FAMILIARIZATION WITH THE FUNERAL PROCESS

If you are not familiar with the funeral-arranging process, now might be a good time to review the different kinds of funerals. Depending on the preferences of the deceased, you may need to prepare for a casket burial or make plans for cremation. You will also need to make preparations for transportations of the deceased to the funeral home. 

Your Rights when Arranging a Funeral

You have a few specific rights as you begin planning for a funeral. These rights include: 

• The right to refuse embalming the deceased 
• The right to only buy the specific services that you request for the funeral
• The right to a written statement of your requested services before issuing payment to the establishment
• The right to refuse casket burial
• The right to provide an alternative burial enclosure without incurring additional fees

Determine Your Needs for Cremation or Burial

Your needs when choosing a funeral home will vary from situation to situation. It is important to consider the preference for cremation over a casket burial. In some cases, if a funeral home doesn’t provide cremation services, you may need to contact a crematory separate from the funeral home. At Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, we can provide either type of service. If you are preparing for cremation, be aware that urn selection will differ from casket selection. 

Organizations to Know

When searching for a funeral home in your area, consider if the mortuary business is connected with organizations like The National Funeral Directors Association or the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. These institutions offer educational resources, training, and certifications for the funeral industry. You can expect businesses that belong to these networks to provide services that meet professional standards.

CONSIDER THE COSTS OF DIFFERENT SERVICES

Primarily, you will want to respect the wishes of the deceased when planning for a burial or cremation. However, it is also prudent to consider the costs required by each service and funeral home of your choice. Knowing an estimate of the costs of each available service will help you decide which establishment may be best for you and the family of the deceased. 

Options for Payment

Before you begin planning for a funeral or looking for a funeral home, make a budget for the services you will need. Having a budget in mind will expedite the timeline of your preparations. 

You may worry if the services that you need are outside of your planned budget. In most cases, funeral homes will offer payment plan options to ease the financial burden. You should factor these options when comparing funeral homes. 

Paying the cost of the funeral over time can relieve a significant amount of financial strain, even if you make arrangements for a funeral that fits within your budget. Don’t let the price of the cremation or burial services overwhelm you.

Determining Your Needs for a Casket or Cremation Urn

If the personal preferences of the deceased include cremation, you will need an urn to carry the remains. The funeral home staff may be able to assist with urn selection if it specializes in cremation. You are not required to make a selection provided by the funeral home, however, since you will not incur fees for providing your own container for the remains.

For a casket burial, you will need to select a casket, and your funeral home of choice will likely have several models from which you can choose. As with cremation urns, providing a casket or coffin that is not directly from the funeral home will not incur additional fees. In most cases of casket burial, the expenses include the cost of embalming if you will have a viewing or if the funeral will not take place immediately.

The deceased may have expressed a desire for alternative arrangements for their final rest. Green options like a shroud or unornamented box can be ecologically sound as well as economical for the survivors. Direct cremations and burials can also be very cost-effective.

FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE

Final expense insurance can appear as “funeral insurance,” “burial insurance,” or “modified whole life insurance.” Final expense insurance doesn’t differ much from standard life insurance. Mainly, its purpose is to resolve the problems of high life insurance premiums due to age and health. If the deceased had purchased a final expense insurance policy, check to find out if the benefits include funeral coverage.

COMPARING FUNERAL HOMES AND NARROWING YOUR CHOICES

After you have determined what you will need from your funeral home, you should compare your needs with funeral homes in your area. You may wish to choose a locally owned funeral home over a commercially owned business. Locally owned establishments have often served the community for generations.

VISIT YOUR TOP FUNERAL HOME CHOICES

Once your comparisons are complete, you should visit your top choices. A visit to the location can familiarize you with the staff and premises. A rude or unconcerned staff during a visitation can help eliminate undesirable businesses. The disposition of the people that will help you during the funeral might be a significant factor when making your choice.

MAKE YOUR FINAL DECISION

When your visitations have concluded, you can rely on your gathered knowledge to select the right funeral home for your loved one’s needs. Be sure to make written arrangements with the establishment of your choice. Then, you can work with the staff to proceed with the rest of the funeral process.

For caring and reliable funeral and crematory services in North Georgia, please call the professional team at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming, GA, at (770)-887-2388 to make arrangements for your loved one’s burial.