Planning a funeral is an emotional time, and when you’re dealing with the death of a loved one, the last thing you want to do is make mistakes that will haunt you for years. For example, you might choose wood caskets that are too expensive, or you may buy a burial space that is too small for the deceased. Or perhaps you didn’t plan for the cost of funeral services, and now you don’t have enough money to pay for them. That’s why we’ve put together this list of people’s most common funeral planning mistakes—and how to avoid them. Take a look.
Not Hiring a Funeral Home
When planning a funeral, it’s important to know that a funeral home can help with everything from selecting the casket or urn to arranging transportation and burial services. The funeral professionals can also take care of all the legal paperwork associated with death, such as obtaining a death certificate and filing insurance claims. This will help you a lot as you don’t want to deal with the stress of taking care of all the details.
Choosing an Expensive Casket or Urn
It’s a common misconception that the more expensive caskets and urns are always better than their less-expensive counterparts, but this isn’t necessarily true. Some people buy expensive caskets or urns simply because they look nice, but they don’t understand that the only thing that matters is how well it protects your loved one. If you can afford to splurge on a more expensive casket or urn, then, by all means, do so. But if you have a limited budget, the most important thing is that it protects your loved one and keeps their remains safe until they are buried or cremated.
Not Considering the Climate Where You Live
Suppose your city gets very hot or cold during certain times of the year. In that case, you must buy a casket or urn that can withstand those temperatures without affecting your loved one’s remains.
For example, if you live in a desert climate like Texas, where temperatures reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit, you should buy something that won’t melt.
Moreover, if you live in a colder area like Alaska, then your casket or urn needs to be made of an insulating material so that it doesn’t freeze or thaw or break apart when buried or cremated.
Not Pre-Planning Your Funeral
One of the best things you can do when planning a funeral is to pre-plan it. This means you take care of all the details in advance, such as choosing your casket or urn, selecting the type of service you want, and arranging transportation and burial services. You can even pay for your funeral in advance, so your loved ones don’t have to worry about it when you die. This will save them a lot of money and stress in the long run.
Not Arranging for Transportation Services
This includes arranging for a hearse to transport the body from the funeral home to the cemetery or crematorium. It also includes providing transportation for people who live out of town and need to fly in for the service. You can either arrange this yourself or hire a funeral home to do it for you.
Final Word
Remember, when planning a funeral, the most important thing is to avoid making mistakes that will cause you to regret later on. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your loved one’s funeral goes off without a hitch and that their final send-off is everything you hoped it would be.