Funeral Celebrant or Funeral Director: Which do you need?

As funeral celebrants have become more popular, many people are left wondering why they need a funeral director if they have a celebrant and vice versa. The answer is simple… it depends.

Think about a traditional funeral where the funeral director handles details such as taking care of the body, transporting the deceased, and various other tasks. But then, your clergy member takes care of the ceremony. Working with a celebrant is similar to that. The funeral director takes care of the logistical and practical considerations, and the celebrant works with the family to create the ceremony. That’s not to say that funeral directors never handle the officiating duties. It just means that it’s not always that way.

Historically, most funerals have been framed around religious ceremonies and rituals led by clergy members. Over time, society has become more diverse and, in some areas, less spiritual. With this shift, families have looked for alternatives to faith-based ways to commemorate the lives of their loved ones.

That’s where the funeral celebrant comes in. These trained professionals work with the family to design the perfect funeral or memorial service. Their key focus is on making the ceremony personal. Of course, many celebrants are also pastors and religious advisors, so using a celebrant doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t incorporate spiritual components. It just means you now have another alternative in choosing who you want to officiate the funeral.

For a more thorough explanation of how funeral directors and celebrants work, click here.

Want to learn more about funeral celebrants? Explore these articles.

• Using Funeral Celebrants: A Growing Movement
• Funeral Celebrants and Funeral Officiants: Creating Personalized Ceremonies
• Request our Guide to Using a Funeral Celebrant

What is Day of the Dead?

Each year, as Halloween rolls around, we see more and more references to the Day of the Dead. But what exactly is this commemoration all about?

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a colorful and significant Mexican holiday that celebrates the memory of loved ones who have died. The holiday is typically celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, dates coinciding with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Day of the Dead is not a somber occasion but a joyous celebration of life and death. It reflects the belief that the spirits of the departed continue to exist in the afterlife and can be reunited with the living during this special time. It is a unique blend of indigenous Aztec traditions and Catholic influences, creating a rich cultural celebration that has gained recognition and popularity beyond Mexico’s borders.

During the Day of the Dead, families come together with their community to honor and remember those who are no longer with them. This is done through a combination of festive and solemn traditions, including creating colorful altars or “ofrendas” adorned with marigold flowers, candles, incense, food, and drink. These ofrendas are meant to welcome the spirits of the deceased back to the living world.

As part of the tradition, families often clean and decorate the graves of the deceased, often with marigold petals and sugar skulls, and they may spend the night there, sharing stories and memories of the departed. There are parades, musical performances, and artistic displays featuring intricate sugar skulls and decorative skeletons, known as “calacas” and “calaveras.”

So, this year, as you notice the unique decorations and references to Day of the Dead, you’ll know what it’s all about.

EstateExec is designed to help everyday people with the job of the estate executor. The company offers a software program that provides automated guidance and financial accounting specifically for estate management.

To learn more about EstateExec and how it can help you with your executor duties, visit their site by clicking here.

Teraloom offers ash scattering memorials at sea and on land. Events can be personalized with a meaningful location, date, time, officiant, flowers, and more. As part of the service, Teraloom secures all necessary permits, makes the arrangements, and takes care of logistics.

To learn more about what Teraloom offers in your region, click here.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU WITH PLAN A FUNERAL:

How to Make Funeral Arrangements
Buying Funeral and Memorial Products
How to Plan a Funeral
Plan Your Funeral Before You Need It

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today? TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.

The post Funeral Director or Celebrant appeared first on Funeralwise.

Summer 2023

As if planning the funeral weren’t enough, once the arrangements have been made and the service has taken place, there is still a lot to consider, especially if you are named as the estate executor.

If you are thinking about your own funeral arrangements or helping a loved one, it can be extremely helpful to family and friends to keep in mind what happens after the funeral.

Our page, After the Funeral: What You Need To Do, is packed with helpful information on the steps to take once the funeral is behind you. If you have a funeral plan with us, remember that the Complete Version has helpful to-do lists that can be accessed by you or the Plan Guardians you have designated.

If you have questions on what happens post-funeral or any other funeral-related questions, email us at support@funeralwise.com.

>>Read More: After The Funeral

EstateExec.com — Help with Estate Execution

From time to time, we work closely with companies specializing in areas related to the funeral industry and are complementary to the information and services we offer. One such company is EstateExec.com. EstateExec is designed to help everyday people with the job of the estate executor. The company offers a software program that provides automated guidance and financial accounting specifically for estate management.

To learn more about EstateExec and how it can help you with your executor duties, visit their site by clicking here.

Teraloom — Unique Memorialization Ceremonies

With the increased popularity of cremation, so too has the demand for more personalized and unique scattering ceremonies. Teraloom, a company based in Colorado, has set out to offer scattering services in the destinations of your dreams.

Teraloom offers ash scattering memorials at sea and on land. Events can be personalized with a meaningful location, date, time, officiant, flowers, and more. As part of the service, Teraloom secures all necessary permits, makes the arrangements, and takes care of logistics.

To learn more about Teraloom, click here.

What’s a Funeral Celebrant?

Funeral celebrants (or funeral officiants) are professionals who work with families to design custom personalized funerals and memorial ceremonies. The celebrant’s role is to make sure that the ceremony reflects the deceased’s personality, culture, values, and wishes.

Learn More About Working With a Funeral Celebrant

Request our Guide to Working With a Funeral Celebrant

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today? TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.

The post After The Funeral appeared first on Funeralwise.

March 2023

Artificial Intelligence and the Funeral Industry

If you follow the news, then you’ve likely seen lots of stories lately about artificial intelligence. From bots that write essays and create images to videos where you can’t tell real from imagined, AI is everywhere these days. AI has the potential to transform many industries, including the funeral industry.

This month’s newsletter highlights the questions we are asking about the potential impact of AI on how we plan for funerals, how we memorialize our loved ones, and how some funeral homes are incorporating AI into their day-to-day operations. While it’s too early to say whether artificial intelligence will impact the funeral business for the good or the bad, it’s safe to say it will most certainly change it. We’ll keep watching as AI matures and keep you posted on how it shapes the industry.

An AI Chatbot Thinks We Should Plan Our Funeral In Advance
At Funeralwise, we often think about what the future of funerals will look like. So it’s not surprising that lately, we’ve been pondering how artificial intelligence will impact the way we plan for our own passing and honor those who go before we do.

How will the current popularity of chatbots impact the way we buy funeral services? How will they be used to tell the stories of our loved ones? Will AI help us plan our own funerals?
We recently posed a funeral-related question to ChatGPT-4, one of the most advanced chatbots available to the public. We asked, “What are the reasons I should create a funeral plan before I die?” and it gave us ten reasons to plan ahead. We encourage you to take a look. If you have thoughts on the subject, please tell us what you think in the comments area for the article.

>>Read Artificially Intelligent Funeral Planning in our Forums

Do Robots Deserve Funerals?
Giving a robot a funeral seems like a ridiculous proposition, but have you ever seen those famous Boston Dynamic Robots dance? As robots become more sophisticated and lifelike, interesting questions about what to do when they reach the end of their lifespan arise.

In our Digital Dying blog, Justin Noble recently examined the issue of giving hardworking robots a funeral. For his take on the topic, click on the link below.

>>Read “Do Robots Deserve Funerals” in our Digital Dying Blog

Are Robot Morticians Just Around the Corner?
As far as we know, there is no such thing as a robot mortician. In fact, the concept raises all sorts of concerns.

But is the idea really all that far-fetched? Our blog, Digital Dying, explored the question all the way back in 2018.

We don’t think the industry is ready for such a leap quite yet, but we suggest you read the article and see what you think.

>>Read More About Robot Morticians

Our website is chock full of resources to help make planning a funeral or memorializing a loved one easier. Below is a short list of some of the most popular. You may not need them now, but bookmarking them will ensure you have them when needed.

• How to Plan a Funeral
• Find Out How Much a Funeral Costs
• Wise Solutions for Planning Ahead
• Learning About Cremation
• Creating a Celebration of Life
• How to Shop for Funeral Insurance

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today? TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether you are planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide you with straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.

The post Funeral Planning Advice from a Chatbot appeared first on Funeralwise.

September 2022

PREPAID CREMATION PLANS
Prepaid cremation plans allow you to pay for cremation before you need it. In addition to the actual cremation, you can pay in advance for other elements, such as a memorial service or celebration of life. Prepaid plans are available for the full range of cremation services–from simple direct cremation (no service, remains returned to family) to a full traditional funeral with visitation before cremation.
In most cases, you will contract directly with a funeral home or cremation provider for the services you want. Depending on your chosen service provider, you can arrange to pay for services in one lump sum or a series of installments. One of the most popular methods for paying for a cremation in advance is to take out an insurance policy that will be used at your death to cover the costs of the services you purchase.

More about Prepaid Cremation Plans

If you think a prepaid cremation plan might be right for you, our Preplanning Specialists can help you decide. They can also help you find the right financial tool to fund your plan. To start, click the button below and complete the brief information request. A Specialist will get back to you with more info. Email us at support@funeralwise.com if you already have a plan with us and would like to learn more.

LET’S GET STARTED

FROM OUR MAILBAG: SECOND RITE OF INTERMENT
We get a wide variety of questions in the Forums section of our website. One question we’ve been getting a lot recently is, “Why does the cemetery want to charge me for burying two urns in the same space?”
The fact is, when you buy a burial space, you don’t purchase the land. What you buy is the right to bury the remains of one body in the space. That is called a “Right of Interment.” So when you want to bury two sets of remains, whether two urns or an urn and a casket, you must pay for the Second Right of Interment to cover the additional remains.

>>Read What is the Second Right of Interment in our Forums.

TALKING ABOUT YOUR FUNERAL
Our last issue highlighted the importance of discussing your funeral plans with your loved ones. It’s an important issue, so we want to ensure you didn’t miss our article. After all, your plan doesn’t do much good if no one knows about it.
Having the talk is not always easy, though. Our article features helpful tips on how to get started and things to consider.

>>Learn More About Having the Talk

SCATTERING ASHES
People are often surprised to hear that there’s more to scattering ashes than just tossing them to the wind.

Once you decide where to scatter, you should ensure it’s legal to scatter in your chosen spot. Choose an appropriate container. Consider wind conditions–everyone stand upwind!

>>More About Scattering

INSURANCE RESOURCES
While many people know us for our planning expertise, Funeralwise also specializes in funeral, burial, and cremation insurance.

Whether you are looking for basic information or are ready to buy, we can help you make the right decision for you and your family.

Our insurance pages are rich with information to help answer your questions and sort through your choices.

>>Learn More About Funeral Insurance

GIVING GIFT BASKETS
Sending a gift basket to express your sympathy is a thoughtful and practical way to let someone who is grieving know you are thinking about them. In some cultures, giving food items is preferred over flowers and other gifts.
You can purchase a gift basket directly through our store by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. The link takes you to Design It Yourself Gift Baskets, for which we are an affiliate.

>>VISIT DIY Gift Baskets

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today? TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether you are planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide you with straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.

The post Prepaid Cremation Plans appeared first on Funeralwise.

Since our funeral food pages are popular, we thought our readers might enjoy a pithy little feature highlighting our recipes and funeral food customs. Having crossed paths with an article or two about the traditions behind potatoes at funerals, that seemed like a good place to start.  Hailing from the South, I already knew that funeral comfort food is quite a thing, and a tasty thing at that. I’ve been to plenty of funerals where the golden cheesy deliciousness of potato casseroles was on full display, but I had no idea that this otherwise normal food was so iconic.

So, if you’ve ever enjoyed a heaping spoonful of funeral potatoes, read on to learn more about these special creations. If you’ve never had the chance to try them, you might be tempted to try one of the many recipes out there.

10 Fascinating Facts About Funeral Potatoes

Do you have a go-to funeral or sympathy dish? Give us the recipe in the comments to this article and maybe we’ll add it to our cookbook. For more on funeral food, take a look at our funeral reception planning pages.

Don’t like slideshows? Here’s the full list.

1. 5 million and counting.
   Do a Google search for funeral potatoes. I dare you. I got 7,580,000 results. Who’s number 1? Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) at Food Network. This recipe doesn’t have a fancy name. It’s called, you guessed it, Funeral Potatoes. According to the description, this version is “extra comforting with lots of cheese and even potato chips.”
2. What’s in a name?
   You might be surprised to hear that Funeral Potatoes got their name because people bring them to funerals. Okay, so you’re not surprised. In any case, according to Southern Living Magazine, “It’s a widespread tradition to serve them at gatherings held after funerals, hence the name.”
3. We’ll never really know.
   No one really knows when or where the tradition behind cheesy potatoes comes from, and you do find them at funerals and potlucks from sea to shining sea. But Utah, particularly the Church of Latter-Day Saints, has a particularly strong claim as the originator due to references in early Relief Society cookbooks.
4. Put a pin in it.
   Funeral Potatoes are so ingrained in the culture of Utah that during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, a trading pin depicting the dish was available.
5. Convenience you didn’t know you needed.
   In the rush, rush, rush of modern life, tossing a bag of hash browns with sour cream can be just too much work. Enter Augason Farms of Utah. Carried by stalwarts such as Walmart, Augason produces a frozen premade pouch version of the classic dish. Add water and throw it in the oven. You can still go all out if you want to. The Augason Farms website advises that you can “Make it your own by garnishing with cornflakes, breadcrumbs, bacon, jalapenos, and more.”
6. This treat belongs to everyone.
   Although the Mormons have a strong claim to funeral potatoes, you will find versions of the dish in just about every region of the country. Of course, they’re not always called Funeral Potatoes (see hash brown casserole, cheesy hash browns, cheesy potatoes, party potatoes). Take Cracker Barrel’s hash brown casserole, for example. Yep, that’s pretty much a version of funeral potatoes without the potato chips.
7. Truly something for every taste.
   There is no shortage of variations for funeral potatoes. Some are pretty unique. Feeling spicey? Go with a Dorito topping. More traditional? Corn flakes. Other popular choices: Ritz crackers, potato chips, saltine crackers, seasoned traditional or panko bread crumbs. Even the website LDS Living features an article highlighting ten different recipes for the classic.
8. And the award goes to…
   In a 2017 article, Food & Wine Magazine hailed the Mormon version of funeral potatoes as “One of the Greatest American Triumphs.”
9. Be prepared.
   The ingredient list for traditional funeral potatoes is pretty simple—frozen hash browns, sour cream, canned cream of chicken soup, butter, and cornflakes—so there’s absolutely no reason you can’t keep the pantry/freezer stocked. You’ll be ready at a moment’s notice to whip up a batch. Hint: Funeral potatoes are not just for funerals.
10. We like them too.
    Even Funeralwise has a favorite recipe for funeral potatoes. Of course, we have recipes for other popular sympathy foods, too.

The post The Magic of Funeral Potatoes – 10 Fascinating Facts appeared first on Funeralwise.

Most of us know what wedding officiants do. They work with couples to design the perfect wedding ceremony and then conduct the proceedings. But did you know there are also funeral officiants—professionals who are trained to help plan and conduct funeral ceremonies? These experts are called Funeral Celebrants.

What does a Funeral Celebrant do?

Funeral Celebrants collaborate with the family to create a personalized ceremony that truly reflects the life of the person being memorialized. The celebrant gets to know the deceased by asking questions, listening to stories, and curating the information provided by the family. In designing the ceremony, they pay careful attention to the music, readings, poems, and rituals that are incorporated into the ceremony.

The Celebrant’s role during the ceremony is up to the family. In many cases, the Celebrant and family will divide the duties. For example, the Celebrant might give the eulogy and lead the songs while family members present readings and prayers.

How is a Funeral Director different from a Celebrant?

According to the National Funeral Director’s Association, the key duties of a funeral director include:

• Arranging for the removal of the deceased from the place of death
• Providing support to the bereaved during the initial stages of grief
• Preparing the body according to legal requirements and the wishes of the survivors
• Arranging and directing funeral ceremonies
• Securing information for legal documents, filing death certificates, and other legal papers
• Helping survivors when filing death benefits claims, as well as assisting them in adapting to their lives post-death

As you can see, that’s quite a broad portfolio of duties. That’s why the exact duties performed by a funeral director can vary depending on the funeral. This is especially true when it comes to acting as the funeral officiant. The funeral director may conduct the ceremony or work with a celebrant or officiant to perform the service.

The key role of a celebrant is to ensure that the funeral ceremony is personalized. Most are unaffiliated, that is to say, not directly employed by the funeral home. Their job is to focus on the funeral service or memorial ceremony. They are independent professionals who can conduct funerals at any location or within the funeral home. Unless they are also a funeral director, funeral celebrants do not handle body preparation or any of the specialized tasks that funeral directors are trained and certified to do.

Celebrants receive training and certification at organizations such as the Celebrant Foundation & Institute.

Can I use both a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?

Professional funeral celebrants are accustomed to working closely with funeral homes and are happy to do so. If you are using both, then generally, the funeral director will be responsible for transportation and care of the deceased and various organizational and administrative tasks while the celebrant takes care of the emotional and personal elements of the service. The choice between a funeral director and a funeral celebrant, or both, depends on your preferences, cultural or religious beliefs, and the specific needs of the funeral you are planning. It can also depend on regulations. When a burial is chosen, many states require that a funeral director be on hand throughout the process.

Traditional funerals where the casket is present almost always involve the services of a funeral director. If you are having the funeral at a place of worship, a clergy member will likely be involved. There are many options for where to hold memorial services because they can be held at any time following a burial or cremation. The services of a celebrant are an excellent choice for a memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased.

What about religion?

Most celebrants are happy to design ceremonies that incorporate spiritual rituals. In fact, many clergy are also trained as celebrants.

A key reason that people like working with celebrants is that they focus on making the funeral ceremony extremely personal. If religion was important to the deceased, then, of course, it should be part of the ceremony. How active a celebrant is in conducting a funeral’s religious elements depends on your denomination. In many religions, only an ordained priest or minister can offer the rites.

So, back to the original question: Do you need both a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?

Fortunately, today, we have many options when it comes to handling funeral ceremonies. There is an important role for both the funeral director and a Professional celebrant. If your ceremony includes a funeral where the body is present, you will need the services of a funeral director. If you are having a memorial service rather than a funeral (the body is not present), then a Celebrant will be able to handle all the details.

>>Visit our Directory of Funeral Celebrants

>>Download our Guide to Using a Funeral Celebrant

>>Read: Using Funeral Celebrants

>>Read: Yes. Planning a Funeral is Like Planning a Wedding

Sources: NFDA Careers Page (https://nfda.org/careers)

The post Funeral Director or Funeral Celebrant: Do you need both? appeared first on Funeralwise.

Prepaid cremation plans allow you to pay for cremation before you need it. In addition to the actual cremation, you can pay in advance for other elements, such as a memorial service or celebration of life. Prepaid plans are available for the full range of cremation services. Plans range from simple direct cremation (no service, remains returned to family) to a full traditional funeral with visitation before cremation.

In most cases, you will contract directly with a funeral home or cremation provider for the services you want. Depending on the service provider you choose, you can arrange to pay for services in one lump sum or a series of installments. One of the most popular methods for paying for a cremation in advance is to take out an insurance policy. The policy will be used at your death to cover the costs of the services you purchase.

How Much Does a Prepaid Cremation Plan Cost?

The cost of a cremation can vary widely. A direct cremation can range from $750 to $4,400. A traditional funeral service preceding the cremation can run between $6,600 to $9,000. Regardless of the type of cremation services you choose, you can prepay for them with an insurance-based prepayment plan. For example, we can provide a 10-year payment plan that grows to a $2,000 payout benefit for only $17 per month.

Our Funeral Insurance Finder is a great way to get an estimate of cremation costs and an insurance policy to cover them. Even better, you can request a consultation with a Preplanning Specialist who can answer your questions and ensure you get a plan that meets your particular financial requirements. Just provide your contact information after you get your quote.

If you are interested in prepaying for a cremation plan that includes traditional or memorial services, our Preplanning Specialist can offer you valuable Free Benefits with our Wise Protection Plan.

Advantages of Prepaying for Cremation

A key reason that many people prepay for cremation is that it lifts the burden of making funeral or cremation arrangements for their loved ones. When the time comes, the difficult decisions have already been made. Your family can start their journey through grief without the stress of planning a funeral.

Another key benefit is that the financial obligations for making end-of-life arrangements are taken care of.  This can be a huge relief to those who are mourning you.

When you prepay for cremation, you can lock in prices to protect against inflation. If you choose to pay using an insurance policy, your money may grow, leaving a surplus for your family. To learn more about the types of policies that offer these advantages, we recommend you speak with one of our preplanning specialists.

Our Prepaid Cremation Plan quoter is an easy way to get an instant quote and arrange to speak with a specialist. Answer a few simple questions, and we’ll provide you with a no-risk quote for a preneed policy. Be sure to provide your contact details, and we’ll put you in touch with a Preplanning Specialist.

What to look out for when prepaying for cremation.

When you make any significant financial commitment, you need to make sure you do your homework before signing a contract. Most complaints involve cases where the provider is no longer in business or they do not honor the terms of the agreement. Here are some ways you can avoid difficulties down the road.

Research the Cremation Providers you are considering.

There are many ways that consumers can gather information on the companies they are considering purchasing prepaid cremation services from.

1. Check the Better Business ratings to see if the company has outstanding complaints.
2. Look for reviews online.
3. Talk with people you know who may have used the provider.
4. Check with the agency that regulates funeral services in your state.

>>Learn more about Cremation

Shop around.

Most communities have multiple funeral homes and cremation providers. Since you are preplanning, you have the luxury of having time to shop around. Checking on what is available at various locations will give you a good idea of what pricing is reasonable and how to cut costs. You’ll also have information that helps you recognize situations where the provider marks up prices as a hedge against inflation.

Many funeral homes and cremation providers post their prices online. Look for the General Price List on websites. Remember, funeral homes must provide you with pricing in writing.

Understand the terms of the Agreement.

It is always tempting to skim over contracts to get on with the process. You never want to do this. Pay particular attention to what will happen to your money if the provider goes out of business or if you relocate. Many prepaid plans do not allow you to transfer plans between funeral homes. This may work fine for you, but if there is a chance your situation may change, be sure your contract allows for that. Find out how the provider will protect your funds. Most states have strict rules regarding how the money for prepaid cremation and burial arrangements must be held to protect you.

Buying a prepaid cremation plan can be a smart financial move. You can minimize risks by doing your homework and learning as much as you can about exactly what you are buying.

One of the best things you can do is speak with a Funeralwise Preplanning Specialist. These professionals can help you choose a reliable provider and determine the best way to fund your plan. To get the process started click here to get a free quote.

The post Prepaid Cremation Cost and Payment Plans appeared first on Funeralwise.

DOES YOUR FAMILY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT?

You’ve probably heard us say that the best time to plan a funeral is before you need it. The same goes for talking about your funeral plan with your loved ones. It doesn’t do much good to have a plan in place if no one knows about it. Remember, a key reason for preplanning is to save your family from having to make difficult decisions at an emotional time. Ensuring that they know what you want is a vital part of that.

Having the Talk

The hardest part of talking about your funeral plan with your loved ones is getting started. It might be easy if there was a right or wrong way, but no luck there. The right way to start a conversation about the type of funeral you want is the one that works for your unique situation. After all, you know your loved ones best, so you are the best judge of the approach that makes both you and your family comfortable.

That said, there are things you can do to help the whole process go smoothly. In fact, you may be surprised at how receptive the people you’re talking to are. Once the awkward part is out of the way, you will probably find that they’ve wanted to have this conversation but didn’t know how to go about it.

7 Tips for Talking with Your Loved Ones About Your Funeral Plan

1. Plan in advance.
   You don’t need a script, but you should think about what you want to accomplish. Do you want to start by going through the big items like burial versus cremation, or do you want to present a detailed funeral plan? How complex you want to get impacts how much time you need and perhaps where you hold the conversation.
   
   Keep in mind that you’ve had some time to think about this conversation in advance. Your loved ones may not have, and they may be uncomfortable with the subject. Planning can help you frame the discussion to put your loved ones at ease.
   
2. Decide who to involve in the conversation.
   Deciding who you’d like to involve when talking about your funeral plan depends on your situation, family dynamics, and how much detail you plan to get into. Perhaps you only want to include the person who will be primarily responsible for taking care of your arrangements. Maybe you’d like to have your entire family involved so that everyone is on the same page.
   
3. Think about where you’d like to have the talk.
   A quiet, comfortable place works best for this kind of discussion. This can be your home, a café, a restaurant, or another spot that can accommodate the number of people you plan to have. If you think it may become emotional, your home may be best. Consider the feelings of those attending and choose a spot that will put your family at ease.
   
4. Plan how you will start the conversation.
   Think about a topic to use as a starting point. Perhaps there is a triggering event you can bring up—the funeral of someone you know, the illness of a family member, something you’ve seen in a TV show or film. This will help put your decisions in context and avoid putting your loved ones in a position where they feel blindsided.
   
   Humor and storytelling can be great ice breakers.  If those techniques work for you, take advantage of them. Your goal is to make sure that your loved ones know what you want when the time comes. The conversation shouldn’t be a comedy routine, but it also doesn’t need to be grim.
   
5. Expect questions and concerns.
   Understandably, the people who care about you may assume that something is wrong when they hear you talking about funeral arrangements. Explain what led you to think about your end-of-life arrangements, and be prepared to offer reassurances. They may also be curious about why you are making certain decisions—for example, cremation over burial. You don’t have to justify your choices, but offering a simple explanation will help to calm your family’s fears.
   
6. Anticipate emotions and pushback.
   This discussion may be easy for some and hard for others. Someone who is particularly resistant or has difficulty understanding why you want to talk about this now may appreciate being excused from the conversation. If they have significant differences with the approach you have chosen for aspects of your funeral, listen carefully to the objections and respond. If you are still in disagreement, let them know you understand their concerns but request that they honor your wishes.
   
7. Keep the Topic Open for Further Conversation
   You don’t have to cover everything in one conversation. If you or your loved ones become overwhelmed, set a day and time for a follow-up conversation. If you have one or two individuals designated to take care of the details, it may make sense to meet with them privately. For some people, working in stages is most effective. For example, the first conversation covers the big stuff, such as how you’d like your body handled (i.e., burial versus cremation). Have follow-up to cover the service you’d like and other details.

Thinking about having a conversation with your loved ones about your funeral arrangements can be daunting. Don’t worry, though; you’ve done the work of preparing a plan, so you’ve been through the most challenging part. You may be surprised at how receptive your family is. Often, those involved find the discussion rewarding. They may even share their own plans once you open the topic.

The important thing is that you get the conversation going. Don’t wait until there is a serious situation and you have to rush things. It is never too early to have the talk.

What if you haven’t started your planning or you have yet to put pen to paper?

It is essential that you get your funeral plan down on paper. Funeralwise can help. We designed our Wise Planning Solutions just for that. The Wise Planning System features a vibrant online planner. A key feature of the planner is the ability to designate a “Plan Guardian.” This is a trusted individual (or individuals) who will ensure your plan is carried out when the time comes. Our Wise Protection Plan is an all-inclusive product that helps you create a plan and fund it.

Our website is packed with resources if you would like to learn more about funeral planning and making funeral arrangements. We recommend that you take a few minutes to browse the site even if you already have a plan.

>>Plan Your Funeral BEFORE You Need It

>>Making Funeral Arrangements

>>Celebrations of Life

>>Funeral Insurance

The post Talking About Your Funeral Plan appeared first on Funeralwise.

November 2021

As we move through our day-to-day business it’s easy to take the things that are important for granted. For a business like ours, we rarely get the opportunity to say thank you to the people who make our work possible, you.

As we head into the holiday season, we’d like to take a moment to let you know how grateful we are to have your support. We hope that you never need us, but when you do, we’ll be there to offer support, guidance, and assistance. Thank you!

HANDLING GRIEF OVER THE HOLIDAYS

For most of us, the holidays are a time filled with joy, celebration, and family. If you are grieving, however, this time of year can be particularly challenging. Besides navigating the typical hustle and bustle of activity, situations that you might have looked forward to in the past can become emotional triggers. From family traditions that evoke the memory of the missing person to encountering people who aren’t aware of the situation, there are many ways that the holidays can amplify grief.

Remember, grief comes in all shapes and sizes. There is no timeline and no right or wrong way to handle it. So be patient with yourself and take care of your needs in the way that works for you. Our article Handling Grief During the Holidays offers some tips to help you manage your unique situation. This article can also be helpful if you are trying to help someone manage their grief.

If you feel your grief is more than you can handle, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend, a loved one, or an organization specializing in helping people work through troubled times.

More Resources on Grief:

• The Path to Healing from a Loss
• Helping Others Grieve
• Grief: Don’t Cheer Me Up!

THE FUNERALWISE PROTECTION PLAN

At Funeralwise we know a little something about planning funerals. In fact, we recommend that everyone take the time to consider how they would like their end-of-life plans to be handled. After all, the best time to plan a funeral is BEFORE you need it!

Over the years, we’ve found that for many people, the do-it-yourself approach doesn’t fit, or the planning is done, but it’s missing one crucial element–how to pay for it. Luckily, we’ve come up with a solution. We now offer the Funeralwise Protection Plan.

The Protection Plan, available only through Funeralwise, is designed to help people create their own meaningful funeral with the help of an expert Preplanning Specialist and ensure that there are sufficient funds available to pay for it.

Whether you are planning for yourself or a loved one, the Funeralwise Protection Plan may be just the thing you need to get it done. It’s the most comprehensive tool in our family of Wise Planning Solutions. It can help you give yourself and your loved ones the peace of mind that comes with knowing that there will be sufficient funds available for your funeral.

We encourage you to take a look at the Plan and see if it’s right for you.

>>LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROTECTION PLAN

CELEBRATION OF LIFE VERSUS A FUNERAL

As the funeral industry evolves, so too do the number of options you have for creating ceremonies to honor the deceased. Deciding what’s right for you can be confusing. Should you choose a Funeral or a Celebration of Life? What’s the difference.

In short, a Celebration of Life is really just a more personal, less formal version of a funeral. But that doesn’t mean you have to choose one over the other.

Our article “Celebration of Life or Funeral: What’s the Difference?” breaks it down for you.

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CREMATION

As cremation grows in popularity, so too do misconceptions about what it is and what the dos and don’ts are. For example, choosing cremation does not mean that you can’t still have a funeral.

If you are trying to decide if cremation is right for you, or you just curious about it, our article “10 Things To Know About Cremation” will answer some of the most common questions. Our website also has a comprehensive section about cremation that can answer questions and clear up myths.

>>Read 10 Things to Know About Cremation

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today. TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether you are planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide you with straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.v

The post We Are Thankful For You appeared first on Funeralwise.

Estimating how much a funeral will cost can be tricky. Average funeral costs continue to rise, and there are many elements to consider: services, casket, vault, embalming, gravesite, and more. To make matters worse, funeral service providers and cemeteries expect payment in full at the time of the funeral. It’s little wonder that shopping for a funeral can be overwhelming.
 

How much does a funeral cost?

Funeral costs vary widely depending on where you live and what components you want to include in the funeral ceremony.

Based on our research and industry studies, average funeral costs are:

• Cremation with a traditional funeral service (the casket is present and you have a visitation) is $7,000-$9,500.
• Cremation with a memorial service (takes place sometime after the cremation, the casket is not present, and does not include a visitation) is $4,000-$6,000.
• No funeral or memorial service (cremation) is $750-$4,500.
• Burial with a traditional funeral service (visitation and the casket is present) is $12,500-$17,500.
• Burial with a memorial service (no casket, no visitation) is $11,500-15,500.

Average Funeral Cost Breakdown

According to the latest Funeral Price Survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral in 2019 was $9,135. But this includes only the most commonly selected items for a traditional funeral such as a casket and vault. It does not include the cost of the cemetery. When considering average funeral cost, $11,000 or more is probably closer to what a typical traditional funeral really costs since a burial plot in a private cemetery will cost at least $2,000.

>>Learn About the Cost of Cremation

Funeral Costs: The big-ticket items.

It helps to know exactly what is included in the cost of a funeral since the big-ticket items are what really drives the cost. A quality casket, for example, can be as low as $2,000 or more than $10,000. Your particular choices can cause the cost of the funeral to go way up or way down. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Funeral costs of cremation versus burial: one of the reasons that cremation is on the rise is because it can cost significantly less than burial.
• The exact cost of a funeral will depend on the quality of the casket, burial vault, and other merchandise selected.
• A direct burial (no service) or cremation can be arranged for under $1,000 (does not include cemetery costs). We recommend that you consider holding a memorial service of some kind, even an informal one, to acknowledge the passing of your loved one.
• The best way to manage funeral costs is to preplan. We can help, see our page on How to Beat the High Cost of a Funeral.

Major Funeral Expense Elements

• Plot/Niche ($1,000-4,500): Costs vary by the cemetery and by the location of the space within a cemetery. Carefully consider your options. (More on Cemeteries.)
• Burial Vault ($500-$5,000): Vaults do not prevent decay. A grave liner or simple concrete vault may be sufficient and will certainly be less expensive. (More on Burial Vaults.)
• Grave Marker/Headstone ($1,000-$3,000 and up): A simple stone can be less than $1,000. You can buy from the cemetery or a monument dealer. (More on Grave Markers.)
• The Casket ($2,000-$10,000 and up): You can buy from your funeral home or a casket dealer in-person or online. Rent a casket for a traditional funeral that will be followed by cremation. (More on Caskets.)
• Viewings ($500-$1,000): Each viewing session you have adds to the cost. The most economical option is to have one viewing the same day as the funeral.
• The Ceremony ($1,000-$5,000): Each element of a funeral or memorial service will add to the cost. Decide what is most important to you. (More on Ceremonies.)

7 Ways to Manage the Cost of a Funeral

Paying for Funeral Costs

There are many ways to pay for a funeral with new options such as crowdfunding becoming popular. This is an especially good tool for emergency situations. But even with new tools, the best way to ensure you get the funeral you want, is to turn to traditional methods such as:

• Funeral Insurance: Buying funeral insurance to cover your funeral costs can be a smart money move. Before you buy, however, you’ll need to do some research. Luckily, we’ve done a lot of the homework for you. Visit our Funeral Insurance pages for information on what to look for in a funeral insurance policy and tips on buying the best policy for your unique situation.

• Preneed Funeral Contracts:  To arrange a preneed contract you work with a funeral service provider, a cemetery, or both. Working together, you decide what to include in the contract and the best way to pay for it. You may contract for just cemetery property and services, just funeral services, or both. The important thing to remember, however, is that when it comes to preneed contracts you should be very sure of what you are buying and the terms of the contract. For more information, check out our article on Preneed Funeral Contracts.
• Pre-Paying Funeral Costs: When you enter into a preneed contract with a funeral home or cemetery, you make specific selections. You may pay for it in advance. The key benefit to pre-payment is that you lock in today’s prices. As mentioned above, our Wise Protection Plan is a great way to create a prepaid funeral plan. Plus it comes with many extra benefits that you won’t find anywhere else.
• Direct Savings: Setting money aside in a conventional account such as a savings or money market account is a simple option for many people. The risk in this approach is that it is difficult to guarantee that the money is used for the right purpose. Your survivors will need immediate access to these funds following your death. To make sure the account is set up in a way that ensures a person you trust can withdraw the funds, talk to your bank or financial advisor.
• Funeral Trusts: A funeral trust is similar to a regular savings account, but the funds are legally designated to be used for funeral expenses. Any money that remains after the funeral can be distributed to your estate. Regulations regarding funeral trusts can vary from state-to-state so you should consult with your attorney or your banker to make sure the trust is set up properly. Many funeral providers can also help you establish a Funeral Trust. See our article on Funeral Trusts for more information.
• Public Assistance: There are federal, state, and local programs that can help defray the cost of funeral expenses. Social Security, for example, provides a one-time death benefit of $255, and the Veterans Administration also provides funeral benefits to eligible individuals. Many counties have programs to help people with limited resources cover funeral expenses. For more information on ways to claim public assistance visit our Paying for a Funeral page.

Last Updated: November 10, 2021

The post Find out How Much a Funeral Costs appeared first on Funeralwise.