Posts Tagged ‘funeral director’

Newer Entries »

The National Funeral Directors Association and Funeral Cost Statistics

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

The National Funeral Directors Association and Funeral Cost StatisticsOne of the leading sources for good, factual funeral information is the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), which is the world’s leading funeral service association at almost 20,000 members nationwide.

Although most individuals going through the funeral planning process aren’t likely to need the NFDA to help them make decisions, the organization does have an impact on what choices you have. By overseeing the body of funeral home directors and providing a basic core of ethics that they must follow, consumers are the ones who benefit.

The NFDA recently released a 2010 report on funeral costs. According to their findings, the national median cost of a funeral is $6,560, taking into account costs associated with different locations as well as with the quality of materials purchased for the funeral. This figure includes:

(more…)

What Does a Funeral Director Do?

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

What Does a Funeral Director Do?The funeral director is your guide to the funeral planning process, from the first decisions you make to the very last. These professionals generally have one to two years of formal education (in a college setting), and have successfully completed a one-year apprenticeship program with a licensed funeral home. Further licensure is offered by each individual state, and many funeral directors are part of the National Funeral Directors Association, which oversees the profession.

Even with all these credentials in place, it’s important to find a funeral director you personally connect with. Because you are most likely going to be dependent on your funeral director for emotional support as you go through the difficult process of funeral planning, having a comfortable, working relationship will make everything a little bit easier.

As you begin, your funeral director (and his or her team) will:

(more…)

Things to Ask Your Funeral Director

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Things to Ask Your Funeral DirectorWhether you’re funeral planning for yourself or facing the recent loss of a loved one, you will most likely work with a funeral director to ensure that all the burial and/or cremation arrangements are set. Funeral directors are the professionals who either run a funeral home or are hired by the funeral home to assist with end-of-life arrangements. Larger funeral homes may have more than one director, so that the attention and time you need is available.

Some of the decisions you make together will be the most important and difficult you will ever encounter, so being comfortable with the professional in charge is a good idea. Questions to consider include:

(more…)

Funeral Planning 2.0: Webcasting Funerals

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Funeral Planning 2.0: Webcasting FuneralsOne of the biggest drawbacks to funeral planning in this day and age is the cost and time needed to bring together a wide net of family and friends who span the globe. When loved ones don’t live near the deceased, it can be difficult to attend the funeral services, leading to feelings of guilt, disappointment, and, in many cases, a lack of closure that can be almost impossible to overcome.

In an attempt to reach more people and make funeral planning easier  for families who don’t all live in one concentrated area, some companies are taking funerals to the web. Funeral webcasting, which places live or saved footage of a memorial service online, is becoming a popular and cost-effective way to bring people together to honor the deceased and share memories.
(more…)

Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member?

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member? In almost all cases in which you make financial arrangements during the funeral planning stages, it will be necessary to choose a beneficiary or executor. This will be the individual who spends whatever money you have set aside for the funeral and who is called upon to make decisions regarding products, services, and payment arrangements.

(more…)

Simple Preparations For The Day Of The Funeral

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Simple Preparations For The Day Of The FuneralPlanning a funeral can be such a grueling and stressful task, especially during such a sad and trying time.  Between arranging which funeral home the service should take place at, ordering flowers for the service and coordinating the arrival of friends and family members, you may dread the additional stress that the day of the funeral may bring.  However, if you’re planning a funeral for a dearly departed loved one, there are tips and techniques that you can use to make the day run more smoothly – so you can spend more time with friends and loved ones who are there to support you.

Take Care Of Little Details. This is where a funeral home can come in handy, since you’ll need assistance in making sure that all little details are seen to with exacting care and attention.  For example, will you use family members as pallbearers, or will the home provide their own?  Have you already chosen music to perform at the service?  What about any eulogies that may be read during the service?  Go over the details one last time with the funeral director to make sure that nothing is skipped over.  Staff members at the funeral home will usually take you aside before the beginning of the service to make sure that everything will go according to plan, so wait for them to take the initiative.

(more…)

Newer Entries »