Three Tips for Preplanning Your Funeral or Memorial Service

While it can be difficult to wrap your head around planning for your own funeral, putting some thought into a few of the main elements of your memorial service can lift a huge burden from the shoulders of your loved ones. Not only is planning a funeral in Chicago, IL a logistical stress on those who are left behind, it’s also a financially stressful occasion in most cases. Here are three helpful tips that explain how to preplan your funeral service.

Decide between burial or cremation

The most important decision you need to make regarding how to preplan your funeral service in Chicago, IL is making the choice between burial and cremation. There are certain expenses that come with burial, including purchasing a burial plot or space at a mausoleum. Cremation, on the other hand, requires less planning and you or your loved ones can choose what is done with the cremated remains. Once you’ve decided between burial and cremation, tell your family or leave a note in your will with your choice.

Find a professional funeral director

One of the main benefits to preplanning your funeral service in Chicago, IL is that your family won’t have to shop around for a funeral director during their time of grief. Choose a funeral director who will take the time to explain your options and will help you select the goods and services you’ll need for your service. Typically, a burial or cremation is done after the service, and your director will organize all arrangements, including working with a cemetery to find the right plot. In some cases, cremation is done prior to services, and you can work directly with the crematory to decide on disposition after cremation.

Decide on the specifics of your service

Working with a funeral home is the easiest way to preplan your service. While you can organize the specifics of your service on your own, it’s often helpful to have someone in the industry help you. Here are a few of the features you should carefully consider:

• Cemetery: If you’ve chosen burial, you’ll have to consider the location, religion and overall environment of the cemetery where you’ll want to be buried.
• Vacancy and multiple plots: You’ll also need to make sure your chosen cemetery has plots available. If you plan to be buried alongside family members, you’ll want to buy multiple plots or mausoleum spaces at the same time.
• Caskets/urns: Selecting a casket or urn for your remains is a very personal choice. The funeral home you work with should have a quality of these items to choose from or will direct you to a secondary source for caskets or urns.

Now that you’ve learned how to preplan your funeral, take some proactive steps to ease the burden on your loved ones. If you intend for your service to be held in Chicago, IL, it’s helpful to get in touch with a professional funeral home. Contact Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd. today to learn more about how preplanning provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Categorised in: Funeral Planning

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