To Plan or Not to Plan Your Funeral in Advance

How does Advance funeral Planning affect the first hours before a funeral and the days and weeks that follow?

 

CALLING THE FUNERAL HOME / MORTUARY

 

Funeral preplan already in place: When a funeral preplan is already in place and on file at the funeral home, there is no question as to who to call. The deceased has left a clear message. The stunned, tired, grief-stricken family just makes the call and the funeral home takes your loved one into their care.

 

No funeral preplan in place: When a death occurs and no funeral preplan has been recorded at a funeral home, the first order of business is deciding which funeral home to call. The stunned, tired, grief stricken family must agree upon who they will trust to guide them through this difficult time. They must determine the funeral establishment that will help honor their loved one in a way that satisfies all their needs and fits their budget.

 

THE EVENING BEFORE THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT CONFERENCE

 

Funeral preplan already in place: When a funeral preplan is in place, the family can take this time to comfort each other. They can share memories, go through pictures or just rest. Tomorrow they will meet with the funeral director and review the funeral plan their family member put together with them in mind.

 

No funeral preplan in place: For the family with no funeral preplan in place, tomorrow will bring many questions and decisions. Tonight, they will be weighing in on one big question – burial or cremation. They’ll be figuring out how much to spend and who will pay for the funeral. They will need to decide which of them will participate in the arrangement conference. They will need to consider and agree upon how to honor their loved one’s life.

 

DAYS AND WEEKS AFTER THE FUNERAL

 

Funeral preplan already in place: The family with the funeral preplan has no doubts, no second-guessing, and no regrets. They know they did the “right” thing. They know they spent the right amount of money. They miss the one they lost but they have no regrets about the service that honored their loved one’s life.

 

No funeral preplan in place: Sadly not all families are able to pull together following the loss of a family member. Some are pulled apart because they disagree about decisions great and small. The days and weeks following a death are emotional and tense. It can be a very difficult time to be making group decisions.



www.smithfamilycares.com

Smith Family Funeral Homes provides quality funeral, memorial and cremation services to the families of Central Arkansas. Their six locations can be found in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Westbrook, Sherwood, Benton and Arkadelphia. With a privately-owned crematory operated by licensed professionals, Smith Family Funeral Homes can guarantee their high standard of care throughout the cremation process. To learn more, visit smithfamilycares.com.

Does Everyone Have An Autopsy?

By Smith Family • December 2, 2023
When a loved one dies unexpectedly, many things race through the minds of the people who loved them. In addition to thinking about funeral plans, there may be concerns about whether or not the death was accidental. Or questions may arise around whether other people are at risk of dying in the same way. When these kinds of concerns come up, your loved one may have to undergo an autopsy. Not everyone will have to have an autopsy when they die, but it may be legally required for your loved one. So, when do autopsies have to happen?

A Friend Lost a Loved One – When Can I Call?

By Smith Family • November 25, 2023
When a friend loses a loved one, you want to show them that you care. You want to offer support and make them feel less alone. But what’s the best way to do that? It starts with making a call.

What Will Happen to My Funeral Plan if There is No Body to Bury or Cremate?

By Smith Family • November 18, 2023
While possible, it is truly rare for a death to occur and for there to be no body to care for. Still, this is a frequently asked question. Final disposition of the body, usually burial or cremation, is a part of what we humans do when a life ends. But it is not all we do. It is also not all we can do.

Veterans: Is My Funeral Paid For?

By Smith Family • November 11, 2023
When it comes to a veteran’s funeral, it’s important for their families to understand what the military will pay for. There’s no way to repay the debt that a veteran has paid to our country, but there are some elements that the military covers for a veteran’s funeral and final disposition. So, what help can you as a veteran expect to receive for your funeral? As long as you meet specific criteria, your family can expect some help when the day of your funeral arrives.

How to Have the Talk (About Death) with a Loved One

By Smith Family • November 4, 2023
Talking about death is considered uncomfortable and sometimes even taboo, but death is just a part of life. And when we talk about death, especially the death of a loved one, we’re also talking about celebrating a life. What was that person like? What stories about them will always play through your mind when you think of them? How will they be remembered?

Making Decisions When Families Don’t Get Along

By Smith Family • October 28, 2023
When you plan a funeral, it’s easy for the details to get overwhelming. But the planning process becomes much more difficult when families don’t get along. If your family is prone to fights or rifts are abound between relatives, here are a few tips to make the funeral planning process go more smoothly.

Communication Tips When a Loved One Passes

By Smith Family • October 20, 2023
Telling someone that a loved one died is never easy. It’s a moment that they will remember for a long time, so it’s essential to be gentle, plain, and careful. If you’re left with the task of breaking this difficult news to family and friends, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Where Should I Buy Flowers for a Funeral

By Smith Family • October 14, 2023
When you send flowers to a funeral, you’re helping grieving loved ones celebrate the life of the person they lost. Flowers are a beautiful way to show that you care. But making sure that they arrive at just the right time for a funeral can be tricky. So, where should you order flowers from?

Transporting a Deceased Loved One

By Smith Family • October 7, 2023
There are many reasons why your loved one would have to travel after their death. Perhaps they were away from home at the time of their death, and they need to be brought back to their hometown for their funeral. Or maybe they retired to another state, but they wanted their final resting place to be where they spent most of their life.

Preparing for a Funeral: Gathering Pictures

By Smith Family • September 30, 2023
A funeral should be a celebration of your loved one’s life, and to create this feeling, ensure that they surround their guests at their funeral. Gathering photos for their funeral is one way to make their presence felt. Those photos hold stories that show who your loved one was. And when you gather photos beyond your own supply, you end up with many different stories, including some you yourself didn’t even know. When you collect pictures for a funeral, you’re getting a chance to walk down memory lane and invite your family and friends on that journey with you. Here are a few tips for collecting photos and videos for your loved one’s funeral.
More Posts