How to Choose the Type of Funeral You Want

Planning for your own funeral can alleviate stress on your loved ones. Whether you are planning your own funeral or a funeral for someone you know, being familiar with the basic different types of funeral arrangements can be helpful to learn before making arrangements with the funeral provider. Which type of funeral you choose will depend on the amount of money you want to spend (some funerals can cost up to $10,000), as well as religious or personal preferences of you and your closest loved ones.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   The traditional funeral is the most expensive type of funeral and is conducted at a funeral home or funeral pallor. The funeral arrangement can include embalming and preparing the body for viewing; a viewing of the deceased, the day before and/or the day of the funeral; the hearse to transport the deceased to the cemetery; and/or the burial, cremation, or entombment (for a crypt). In addition, you will have the expense of a casket and the cemetery plot or crypt.

2. 
    

   Another type of funeral arrangement is where the deceased is buried in a simple casket with no viewing or embalming. The funeral home will transport the deceased from a local destination to the funeral home for placement in the casket and subsequent transport to the cemetery plot or crypt. This type of funeral will cost less than the traditional funeral because fewer services by the funeral home are performed.

3. 
    

   Some people prefer to be cremated shortly after death. The funeral home will transport the deceased from a local destination to the funeral home (if they have a crematory) or to a crematory. The ashes are placed in an urn. The urn can cost as little at $30 (USD) up to thousands of dollars for very elaborate containers. The urn of ashes can be buried, kept at home, or even scattered in a location that the deceased found spiritually uplifting or enjoyed, assuming scattering of ashes is legal at the desired location. This type of funeral service costs less than the traditional funeral.

4. Of the three types of funeral services shown above, you can choose what aspects you want. For instance, you may prefer to be cremated, but want to have your ashes and a photo of yourself displayed at a funeral home where friends and family can join together to pay their last respects.

Tips & Warnings

• If no service is performed at the funeral home, a service may be conducted at the cemetery or other location for the grievers.
• Just because you may not feel a need for a traditional funeral for yourself or for someone that you are making funeral arrangements, take into consideration how your loved ones might feel. They may find great solace in a traditional funeral where they can be surrounded by family and friends to share stories of togetherness and hugs of condolence.

Resources

• Write an Obituary People Will Remember

[kkelley89]

on 2/23/2009 Not something a lot of people think about, but they really should. Thanks for posting!

[PajamaMommy]

on 10/23/2008 Thanks for writing this. It is important to discuss with your family what you want as well as what they would want. 5*

[Kilogramm]

on 10/22/2008 Great how to on such a touchy subject, 5 stars!

[Honeygold]

on 10/19/2008 Several people in my family have recently chosen not to have funeral services, because they didn't want the family to suffer. Believe me, it doesn't relieve the suffering one bit not to have a service. Even if it's just a memorial service or a graveside service, or an informal gathering in someone's home, please give your family the opportunity to comfort one another.

Thanks for the good information!