1. Find a funeral director – A Funeral Director will prepare and plan all you need for the funeral while providing support and guidance to your family. They will manage all your requirements and deliver them professionally and to a high standard. Common duties include, but are not limited to, helping families plan services for the deceased, including flowers and transportation for the deceased and mourners; embalming and preparing bodies; planning wakes or receptions; organising obituary notices; and arranging the appropriate paperwork.
2. Design the ceremony – You will need to think about the kind of funeral service you would like. Speak to your funeral director, they will most likely have a variety of packages to choose from, as well as tailor-made packages. There are many decisions to make, for example, whether you prefer a burial or cremation; the type of coffin; music at the ceremony; and the order of service. It is a good idea to keep track of fees, what is included in your package and any additional services.
3. Book the date - This is something your funeral director can take care of for you.
4. Decide where the wake will be held – As soon as you have the funeral date, it is time to think about venues. This will need to be booked as soon as possible. However, some people like to have their home as the venue.
5. Choose pallbearers – Most coffins require six pallbearers. Ideally, they should be around the same height and able to carry the weight between them. If you have someone who you would like as a pallbearer, but are not able to carry the weight, they can walk behind or in front of the coffin, known as an honorary pallbearer. Pallbearers are typically siblings, adult children, grown grandchildren, nieces and nephews, close friends, and colleagues.
6. Decide the order of service and who will speak – The funeral director will help you arrange the order of service, which can include; shared singing, a recitation of a verse, funeral readings, a eulogy and music. However, every funeral is different and specific to your requirements. Once decided who will speak at the funeral, notify them and liaise on what to say.
7. Order of service booklets –
8. Inform invitees – Start informing invitees. An easy way to share funeral day details is via afuneralnotice.com. A quick and easy way to provide the necessary information to family and friends. Funeral Notices can be created in a matter of minutes and contain all the information you need to share, including personalised messages and interactive location maps. Then sent out by elegant SMS text message. Get started now.
9. Finalise the details – Speak to your funeral director to make sure everything is ready for the day. We recommend talking to everyone involved in the funeral arrangements to ensure the funeral day runs as smoothly as possible.
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