How to Plan a Funeral Without a Member of the Clergy

If the deceased was not a religious person, he or she would likely not wish to have a religious burial service. In accordance with their wishes, you will have to plan a different kind of funeral for them. Friends and family can be the perfect people to rely upon at this difficult time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Method of payment
• Support

Plan a Funeral Without Clergy

1. Contact a funeral home near where the interment will take place and get their help with the arrangements.
2. Arrange for a venue for the service. This may be a hall, an outdoor area or even the cemetery.
3. Choose between burial and cremation and purchase the casket or urn.
4. Contact family and friends to invite them, and ask if they'd like to speak or offer a reading at the service. Also ask them to help you contact anyone who might not have heard the news.
5. Order the flowers you want for the service, as well as any other extras, like programs.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not already know the preferences of the deceased, make sure you obtain a copy of the will so that his or her wishes are followed.
• You will also have to arrange for the burial itself, which means buying a grave plot, arranging things with the graveyard and buying and erecting a headstone.
• Services can be expensive. Find out if you are entitled to insurance benefits of any kind, which will help cover the burial costs.
• Do not close yourself off from family and friends. You need them as much as they need you.