If you have recently suffered the loss of a loved one, you may be wondering where to even start when it comes to planning their funeral services. The step-by-step guide below can help to get you through this process so that you can lay your loved one to rest. 

Step #1: Choose A Funeral Home And Schedule A Time To Meet With Their Funeral Director

The first thing you will need to do is to choose which funeral home you wish to use. If your family always uses the same funeral home, this decision could be quite simple. However, if you are not sure what funeral home to turn to, consider asking family and friends about their recent experiences. Once you have selected a funeral home you will need to contact them in order to schedule a time to come in and meet with their funeral director. 

Step #2: Choose Between Burial And Cremation

The next steps that you take when planning a funeral will be influenced by whether or not you choose to have a traditional burial or if you choose to have your loved one cremated. Consequently, you will need to make this important choice before moving on with the process. If your loved one did not leave specific instructions regarding whether they wished to be buried or cremated, you will need to make this choice based on what is best for the remaining family members.

Step #3: Select A Casket Or Urn

When you go into the funeral home to meet with the funeral director, you will be given the opportunity to choose a casket or urn depending upon whether you have chosen burial or cremation. You will also be asked to arrange for a burial plot and headstone when choosing a traditional burial. If you wish to have your loved one's urn kept at the local cemetery, you will also need to arrange for space inside one of their memorial buildings. 

Step #4: Plan The Visitation Or Memorial Service

Having the opportunity to say their final goodbyes can be important for many people after losing a loved one. That is why so many people choose to offer visitation services prior to burial or cremation. If you wish to allow for the body to be viewed by family members and friends, you will need to plan for a visitation service at the funeral home. If you wish to come together after the body has been cremated or buried, a memorial service can be held at any location of your choosing.