Can I Do Pre-Planning Services Over the Phone?

With the COVID-19 pandemic looming over the nation, many of our friends and family are considering their mortality in a way they never have before. Whether you’re simply planning for the worst-case scenario or want to make arrangements for the end of your life, it’s smart to undertake planning for funeral services as soon as possible.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have been asking whether they can book pre-planning funeral services by appointment over the phone in Chicago, IL. The short answer is that while you can indeed plan some aspects of your funeral needs over the phone, some will require you to meet with us in person.

Here’s what to consider when pre-planning funeral services:

• Interment choice: First, you need to determine what you’d like to be done with your remains. Burial is still a popular (but costly) choice, while cremation is simple and less expensive. Some people wish to be buried at sea or donate their body to science—ultimately, it’s up to you.
• Funeral service choice: You also need to think about what kind of funeral service you want. Do you want a traditional funeral, with casket? Open, or closed? Would you prefer a celebration of life, or a memorial after the burial or cremation?
• Cost: After you’ve determined the first two factors, it’s time to think about cost. Funerals can be expensive, especially if the deceased didn’t set aside any money for their funeral and burial. If your wishes exceed your budget, you might need to make changes.
• Specific ceremonial requests: Next, think about specific ceremony requests, such as particular music you’d like played, hymns to sing or passages to read. If you adhere to a particular faith, you might wish to request that a religious leader performs the service. Feel free to request whatever you like, but give a thought to how and who will carry your wishes out—you don’t want to add to their grief by making difficult demands.
• Financial arrangements: After you’ve thought about the ceremony, it’s time to make financial arrangements. This can include working with your chosen funeral home or pre-purchasing a burial plot. If your insurance covers these arrangements, be sure to collect that information, too.
• Documenting your wishes and history: Next, it’s time to collect all this information as well as what you’d like your obituary to include. If you don’t already have a will, now is the time to meet with a lawyer to create one. Having your final wishes documented will help your surviving loved ones cope during a difficult time.
• Sharing the plan with loved ones: Finally, share your plan with your loved ones, or at least tell them where they’ll be able to find the information after your passing.

Working on pre-planning your funeral service can be a difficult and draining process, and while not all steps can be completed over the phone, Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd. is ready to work with you during this challenging time. To schedule a pre-planning appointment in Chicago, IL, reach out to us today.

Categorised in: Funeral Planning

This post was written by Writer