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Step 1
Start discussing with your family today the budget you will set into place for the funeral. In some cases, the deceased may have already made plans and arrangements for their own funeral so find out if the deceased had any special wishes or arrangements and use that as a starting point.
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Step 2
The traditional funeral involves embalming, casket viewing, a funeral ceremony and a graveside service but that is not the only option. You can opt for cremation services or opt to legally have a green home funeral in which you eliminate the need for chemical embalming and costly related funeral home costs. If you have a home funeral, family members will bathe, dress and preserve the body on dry ice for up to three days in their home, enough time for a home funeral and memorial service. The average cost of a home funeral is $250
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Step 3
If you choose a traditional funeral for your loved one, you can consult with a religious leader or a funeral home director to help you with the details of transportation, obtaining a death certificate, ceremony and casket/burial options. A religious leader can assist you in finding someone to organize every detail of the funeral from obituaries to grave site locations.
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Step 4
Appoint someone to write the obituary. You can submit obituaries or death announcements in your local newspaper that inform people of the time and location of the services - if you choose to have services.
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Step 5
Also appoint someone responsible for the music and flowers for the ceremony. Typically, a funeral home director can plan this for you and will have a package available for you to choose from.
