For the majority of us, planning a funeral is unfamiliar territory. We rarely go into the process with a knowledge of all the little details that bring a memorial service together. That’s why Capital Life Funeral Plans has put together this short list of the top four questions you should ask yourself when planning a funeral, whether it’s for a loved one or for yourself.
Do You Use a Funeral Director?
This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself when planning a funeral. Funeral Directors offer experience, professionalism, and dignity at a time when you need it most. They can take control of important arrangements, offer guidance for loved ones, and provide a level of finesse that can only come from experience – but you don’t have to use a funeral director.
The rising cost of funerals is largely blamed on the increased service charges of Funeral Directors up and down the country. You can cut the price by planning a funeral yourself, or by comparing prices and finding the most cost-efficient option for you. Some funeral directors will be cheaper than others. Some may even let you reduce your bill by organizing aspects of the funeral yourself.
Cremation or Burial?
A cremation tends to be cheaper than a burial, but burials are more traditional than cremations. When you start planning a funeral, you’ll begin to see that they are built up of these small compromises. There are many reasons why you might choose one or the other in this case. A burial gives loved ones a place to visit to remember the deceased, while a cremation is more environmentally friendly and gives you some control over what happens with the ashes. Scatter them in a loved one’s favorite place or keep them close at home. The choice is yours.
Traditional or Not?
Do you want to visit your loved one at the funeral home before joining a procession to their place of rest? Traditional funerals feature the most recognizable aspects of a memorial service, with touching conventionalities that many mourners depend on in their time of need. This may be because of religious backgrounds, or because the elegance of a traditional funeral is familiar to them. But this is not for everyone. Eco-funerals and simple cremations are increasingly popular with individuals across the UK.
This question is deceptively simple. It can determine how much transport you organise for your mourners. It could decide whether or not family can visit you in a place of rest. And it will almost certainly affect the amount you or your family will have to pay.
How Will All This Be Paid For?
We recently covered the pros and cons of planning a funeral using cash, life insurance, and a pre-paid funeral plan in more detail. Cash, or credit, is typically the only option if you are planning a funeral for someone that has not prepared their own funeral arrangements ahead of time. This often leaves loved ones in a difficult financial situation, where they may be forced to compromise between their financial wellbeing and their wish to give the deceased a proper send-off.
We believe that a pre-paid funeral plan is the best option to ensure that your loved ones are not left with unnecessary stress and financial responsibilities when you pass away.
Planning a Funeral With Capital Life Funeral Plans
At Capital Life Funeral Plans, we believe that customer care is the most important aspect of what we do. We are here to make sure that your last wishes are followed and to help you answer those stressful questions as and when they arise.
If you would like any more information about planning a funeral for yourself with a dedicated funeral plan, please do not hesitate to call us on 0800 411 8683 or contact us by filling out a short form. All you need to do is fill out a few contact details and leave us a short message regarding your enquiry, and we’ll take it from there.
We can also discuss Wills, Inheritance Planning, Probate, and LPAs,