THE SIX COMMON REASONS FOR PREARRANGING FUNERALS:
Today, more individuals and families are making the decision to prearrange their funerals than ever before. Because of the factors such as inflation, fewer extended family members living close by, and other changes in our society, planning your own funeral can make a lot of sense. In a recent survey, these were the most common reasons people gave for prearranging their own funerals:
1. Lets your wishes be known.
2. Reduces stress for friends and family at an already emotional time.
3. Saves money
4. Guarantees your family will never have to pay more for your funeral - no matter what happens with inflation.
5. Shows you care.
6. Relieves your loved ones of the financial responsibility.
What To Do When a Death Occurs
Make an appointment with the funeral home. The funeral home will help coordinate arrangements with the cemetery.
1. Contact your clergy. Decide on time and place of funeral or memorial service. This can be done at the funeral home.
2. The funeral home will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates you will be needing and can order them for you.
Some information needed to complete most states vital statistic requirements:
+ Birth Date
+ Birthplace
+ Father's Name
+ Mother's Name
+ Social Security Number
+ Veteran's Discharge
or Claim Number
+ Education
+ Marital Status
3. Make a list of immediate family, close friends and employer or business colleagues. Notify each by phone.
4. Decide on appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity or school).
5. Gather obituary information, including age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, list of survivors in immediate family, give time and place of services. The funeral home will normally write article and submit to newspapers.
6. Arrange for members of family or close friends to take turns answering door or phone, keeping careful record of calls.
7. If Social Security checks are automatic deposit, notify the bank of the death.
8. Coordinate the supplying of food for the next several days.
9. Consider special need of the household, such as cleaning, etc., which might be done by friends.
10. Arrange for child care, if necessary.
11. Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends.
12. Select pallbearers and notify the funeral home. (Avoid anyone with heart or back difficulties, or make them honorary pallbearers).
13. Plan for disposition of flowers after funeral (church, hospital or rest home)
14. Prepare list of distant persons to be notified by letter and/or printed notice, and decide which to send to each.
15. Prepare list of persons to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc. Send appropriate acknowledgments (can be written note, printed acknowledgments, or some of each). Include "thank you's" to those who have given their time as well.
16. Notify insurance companies.
17. Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor.
18. Check carefully all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check also on income for survivors from these sources.
19. Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due.
20. If deceased was living alone, notify utilities and landlord and tell post office where to send mail.
21. Funeral Director will prepare Social Security Form SSA 721. Check with Social Security to see that number is retired.
The funeral is a ceremony at a public time and place where family and friends can gather and share stories and condolences while participating in a service of remembrance. It is a time of great sharing and one of the few times in society where an outward display of grief is acceptable.
Death, dying and grief are inevitable parts of life, and the funeral is a way that society comes to terms with them, recognizing and dealing with the death of a loved one so that the survivors are eventually able to return to a normal, healthy lifestyle. The clinically defined stages of grief are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and finally, Acceptance. Not everyone will go through all the various stages, and most certainly, not always in the same order. Families who have the experience of caring for a terminally ill patient often find that they have already worked through most of the stages of grief before the expected death occurs.
Having a public funeral service allows family and friends to come together and acknowledge the life that was lived, and to share their mutual feelings of sorrow in a way that allows each participant to draw strength and comfort from the others. It is a time when feelings are expressed freely and closure made so that healing and rejuvenation for the surviving family can begin.
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