When you’re already dealing with loss, planning a funeral involves lots of complex decisions. Approaching the details can be extremely triggering, especially if you’re already navigating difficult emotions while grieving.
Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding the planning process. But by learning how to approach the most important elements, you can create a meaningful tribute without becoming overwhelmed.
Collecting your thoughts
It’s completely understandable to feel uncertain and emotional when someone close to you dies. When you suddenly face the task of arranging a funeral, knowing where to turn and what to do first can be tricky.
You might feel a bit of pressure to get everything sorted quickly, but you might not want to skip out on the details either. At this stage, try to collect your thoughts and take a moment to identify the absolute necessities first.
What needs to be done first?
Start by separating the logistics from the personal tributes. After you’ve been contacted by the coroner to register the death, you can get the core details arranged first before thinking about the personal tributes and order of service. These may include the funeral date, time, venue, and guestlist.
Before you consider music or flowers, focus on the actionable steps. You’ll need to choose between burial or cremation and confirm the date and location, as these decisions impact everything else that follows.
Sorting out these logistics early gives you a fixed framework, making later choices more manageable. If you need further support in arranging the details, depending on where you are located, local funeral directors Basildon can help you.
Being able to honour their wishes
If your loved one left behind any specific wishes, such as details written within a will or a pre-paid plan, you should try to prioritise these.
Honouring their requests provides immense comfort and peace of mind, because you know that you’re respecting what was important to them. If they left no instructions, you could still focus on elements that best reflect their personality.
Paying attention to their favourite music, colour schemes and overall style will help you to make sure that the service feels authentic.
Decide an appropriate budget
Before you agree to various services, you should try to establish a realistic budget for the funeral. When you can clearly define how much you can afford to spend, you’ll prevent overspending later when decisions become harder.
It can be tempting to let your emotions get in the way, especially if you were very attached to the person who passed away. However, by setting financial boundaries, you empower your chosen funeral directors to present you with suitable, manageable options.
A funeral isn’t all about the process. By taking the time to honour their final wishes and working within a manageable budget, you can create an occasion that focuses on love and memories. When the final details are settled, you can let the service proceed and allow yourself to simply be present.
