Losing a loved one family member or friend is not easy still there are many things people need to do because of the traditions and customs. A funeral ceremony is a part of customs in many religions and has cultural values too. It is a heart-wrenching process to prepare the corpse of a loved one and make it ready to be buried. But some actions are taken place with logistics. Losing someone close to your heart is heartbreaking but you need to be composed because “rituals of the world must be fulfilled”. Many people avoid the discussion about funeral preparation and more but should have done it. Without much information, nobody can complete the arrangements for the funeral ceremony. Since it is the last ceremony for the lost one, completing the arrangements with love, dedication, and respect can show your emotions for the person. The host of the event needs to complete so many works to make the internment memorable from the celebration of life invite to the wake ceremony. The program must be unforgettable so that the lost person will stay within the memories of attendants of the event, and people will remember him/her in prayers.
There is a long list of activities and preparation that needs your consideration while preparing a funeral of your loved one that is why it is recommended that you partner with a trusted funeral home to ensure every step of the way of the funeral service will be done the right way. If you never experienced the grief before and never arranged a funeral, the occasion might be overwhelming for you. Firstly, you need to be calm and composed to do things nicely. Secondly, you can look for a guideline from the internet or someone who has experienced this misery.
Here is a small guideline to plan and arrange a funeral with its basics.
Before starting the arrangement for internment you must have a checklist with you. The checklist should contain all the details of the funeral ceremony. The list must have the venue, time, and date of the funeral. All the basics like transportation, kind of events, funeral program, and the details of the last ritual should be a part of the list.
Funeral services
The formal gathering to say goodbye to the deceased and performing the last practices are part of funeral services. Members of the church, priest, or religious person preside the ceremony. The services include all the traditional, cultural, spiritual, and religious customs of life. Many consider these customs not only a part of the rituals but also help to soothe your grief.
Last practices
After preparing the corpse to leave the environment there are different customs according to differences in religion or culture of the deceased. The practice may differ from the religious or cultural practices of the family and should complete according to the will of a deceased person. In some countries, tradition and religion cremation is prohibited, religions like Hinduism promote cremation. Similarly, many cultures have a burial in their background. But the process may depend on the country policies. Since burial needs more space, countries like Australia or China promote cremation.
Funeral
All the farewell ceremonies are part of the funeral containing the preparation of the corpse. The internment can be a big event containing the speeches, memorable activities, and pictures of the loved one. Making a funeral program and writing an obituary is also a part of arrangements. You can use a funeral obituary template to publish the news of the deceased person. Funerals also include music, pall bearing, clothes, memorial cards, and more. All the arrangements like transportation of the corpse to the graveyard or cremation center, transportation for the kiths and kin, food (if planned), writing speeches are all part of the funeral.
Farewell ceremonies
After considering the custom factors, it is time to honor the loved one. There are different gatherings to show the love for the person and to pray for him/her with all the family and friends together. There are many places where the kiths and kin honor their loved one and also console the family. Some of the venues for the ceremony are
- Graveside ceremony: the ceremony includes some activities like releasing dove to transfer positive vibes to the corpse and farewell with prayer and good wishes
- Witnessing ceremony: After the last memorial, witnessing ceremony is another ceremony for those who couldn’t attend the farewell customs and also to console the family members.
- Family gathering: this is a reception in memory of the deceased person. This ceremony can contain some memory through pictures and things used by the lost person.
Legal matters
Practicing the customs and ceremonies are not the last things to do, but handling the legal issues like obtaining a death certificate, filing the successors’ names for the assets, and sending death notices to the responsible authorities are also important.
Funeral cost
In the list of arrangements, the budget is an elemental part. Preparing a funeral is a lengthy heartbreaking process and costly too. The internment includes the price of the essential fee for the services to arrange the funeral ceremony on the venues you want. It also contains the price of the cemetery, burial services, and arrangements. Cash disbursement for pall bearing, obituary publishing, flowers, and clergy services are part of the budget too. Honoring services, wake, and family gatherings need additional arrangements and cost additional charges. You can ask any professional to perform the management that will cost you extra.
Conclusion
Understanding the rituals and fulfilling them is a part of life. Other than the customs, you have options to gather people for the ceremony in memorial of the deceased person. Understanding the need for an event, your budget, and how you like to show your emotions depends on you only. Either you can have one reception for the funeral or have different ones such as graveside to honor the deceased soul