Fneral director

Funeral director is someone involved in the business of funeral rites. The job often entails the burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the planning and arrangement of the actual funeral ceremony.

Funeral Home Selection - Advice From A Licensed Funeral Directr
By Jerry R. Guy

Funeral home selection is obviously the first step and a vital part of funeral planning. Depending on where you live, this is sometimes predetermined for a family simply due to demographics or a family's longtime relationship with a particular firm. In more rural areas you may have only one or two facilities to choose from. Most larger metropolitan areas are usually served by multiple facilities offering vast choices and prices.



Photo: zaphoduk.com

ive in or near an area that has several funeral homes, I suggest you do some "comparison shopping" before you make a commitment. If your unfamiliar with the firms in your area, ask friends or other family members for recommendations. I advise calling three funeral homes (or at least two!) with questions about services desired and related costs. Beware,you may be shocked by the variation in prices and services offered.

It is not uncommon for people to be hesitate to call a funeral home and ask questions related to funeral planning, but they don't need to be. The Federal Trade Commission's "Funeral Rule" now mandates that all funeral facilities provide service and price information over the phone. Remember, reputable firms will always be happy to answer your questions over the phone. I would suggest avoiding any facility that is unwilling to provide this information to you.

This proactive approach to funeral planning will give you peace of mind and should go a long way in helping you to make sure you have made the right funeral home selection.

Jerry R. Guy is an active licensed funeral director and author. More information on how to save money planning funeral services can be found at his sites: http://www.integritypreneedsolutions.com/ or http://www.beforeplanningafuneral.com/

Advice From A Funeral Director

Funeral Planning - Advice From A Funeral Director
By Jerry R. Guy

Making funeral plans can be a very stressful event. Many things must be considered and decisions made. This usually comes at a time when most people are at their worst, mentally.



Today, it is not uncommon for traditional funeral and burial costs to be well over $10,000+ in many areas of the United States, and these costs continue to rise fast! This is due in large part, to the rapid increase in cremation rates over the past few years. As a result, many families are finding it difficult to pay these expenses. This makes an already difficult time much harder for the family.

As an active licensed funeral director with over 28 years funeral service experience, I have personally assisted thousands of families in making funeral plans for a loved one. While some were prepared, unfortunately in my experiences, most were not and finances was usually the key issue.

One way to avoid this problem is to consider prearranging funeral services. Many funeral homes and cemeteries now offer programs that allow you to preplan funeral and burial arrangements. In some cases, they will even freeze your costs for these services. As a funeral director, I strongly urge anyone to consider looking into these options at your facility of choice. This one thing alone could potentially save you thousands of dollars as funeral prices continue to escalate.

Another way is to become educated about the process of funeral planning. There is an abundance of material available on this subject and much of it is free for the asking. Contact your funeral facility of choice, most will be happy to send you educational material that could possibly save you thousands of dollars when the time of need arises and hopefully make that time less stressful.

Jerry R. Guy is an active licensed funeral director and author. More information on how to save money planning funeral services can be found at his sites: http://www.integritypreneedsolutions.com/ or http://www.beforeplanningafuneral.com/

Hold a Funeral

When a person dies, we acknowledge his or her passing by holding a funeral, which is the traditional way in this country to honor and pay last respects to a dear departed. A call is made to a funeral home, which takes care of removing the body, often from a nursing home, hospital or hospice.




The body is prepared-embalmed, dressed, and ready for viewing. For some families, viewing is imperative. Says author Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, "It is important that the family can view the body before the funeral in order to prevent any late denial of death." A brief ceremony is usually held at the funeral home, then continued at the church- with hymns, scripture readings, a short sermon, and sometimes a eulogy.

A procession to the cemetery follows (for either ground or above-ground burial in a mausoleum or crypt) and concludes with a brief graveside service. Afterwards it is customary for friends and other mourners to gather at the family home for more expressions of sympathy.
For many, having this whole ceremony with viewing is beneficial. "They need to see the body of their loved one, be close to it," says funeral director Fares J. Radel. "It also provides closure and makes them realize that indeed a life has ended." And that life is celebrated when you hold a funeral.

"It's a coming together of families, sort of a reunion to honor the deceased," offers one Cincinnati, Ohio, funeral director. Funerals, in whatever form, are beneficial to the survivors not only as a reminder of their mortality, but also as a means of helping them accept the loss and move on with life.

Dem Bones!

My Husband's Grandmother,
who had reached the grand old age of 98 years,
died one 23rd of December,
and as her funeral couldn't be organised
until the 6th of January, the following year,
her Son asked the Funeral Director,
to explain what was happening to his Mother
over the Christmas period.


The Funeral Director in his severe black suit, with a face even more severe, placed a hand on the Son's shoulder, and said, 'Don't you worry, Mr Taylor, we have a Skeleton Staff in over Christmas'.This is a true story, but we found it to be so hilarious.

Ernestine Northover
www.poemhunter.com

Cremation Memorialization

Survivors may choose to scatter the cremated remains over ground, water, or at a site of special interest. This alternative may be subject to local environmental protection laws.

What About Cost?
The charge for the cremation process is based on several factors. An accurate cost can best be accomplished by consulting with your funeral director.

Making the personal choice to cremate involves many decisions. Consult with your funeral director regarding the legal documents necessary for cremation and the pre-planning services available. It is wise to consider all the options ans ask questions before making inal decisions about such an important event.