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Topic Contents
Topic Overview
Funerals and memorial services allow the grieving family and friends time to reminisce about the life of their loved one. A funeral or memorial service can be a time not only for grieving but also for healing and celebrating life.
A funeral or memorial service also helps family and friends face the reality of their loved one's death. It helps them begin the process of accepting and adjusting to the loss.
Planning a funeral
Communicating preferences with family members is important, whether you are planning your own funeral or a loved one's.
Think about the choices you want for yourself. Things to consider include the following:
- Do you prefer burial to cremation?
- If you choose burial, do you wish to have a viewing with an open casket, or do you prefer a closed casket and no viewing?
- What special requirements, if any, does your religion require?
- Do you want flowers at your funeral or memorial service, or do you prefer that donations be made to a favourite charity?
- What music do you want at the service?
- Who do you want to speak at the service?
Funeral costs
Funeral expenses vary greatly, depending on the area and on the types of services selected. You may avoid unnecessary costs by discussing your wishes with your family. You may want to schedule a meeting with family members and a funeral planner to go over details. This could help your family save money and time and can help reduce their stress after your death.
Funeral home burial charges usually include:
- Transportation of the deceased person to the funeral home and to the cemetery.
- Preparation of the body (embalming, cosmetology, hairstyling, dressing).
- Viewing at the funeral home.
- Services at the funeral home, graveside, or church.
- Limousine service for transporting family to the cemetery.
- Casket.
- Acknowledgment cards.
- Professional services.
In addition to the funeral home costs, the cemetery usually charges for the liner (vault) to prevent the ground from settling, opening and closing the grave, and grave markers or monuments.
Cremation or donating your body to science is an alternative to burial and generally is less expensive.
Related Information
References
Other Works Consulted
- Federal Trade Commission (2000). Funerals: A Consumer Guide. Available online: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro19.pdf.
- Federal Trade Commission (2007). Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods and Services. Available online: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro26.pdf.
- Federal Trade Commission (accessed April 2010). Funerals: Consumer Rights Under the Funeral Rule. Available online: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/funerals.
Credits
Current as of:
October 18, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Shelly R. Garone MD, FACP - Palliative Medicine
Robin L. Fainsinger MBChB, LMCC, CCFP - Palliative Medicine
Jean S. Kutner MD, MSPH - Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Current as of: October 18, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Shelly R. Garone MD, FACP - Palliative Medicine & Robin L. Fainsinger MBChB, LMCC, CCFP - Palliative Medicine & Jean S. Kutner MD, MSPH - Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
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