By: Viraj Shah
Following the death of a loved one, it can be very challenging to make decisions about the funeral and burial in the midst of grieving. It can be equally difficult for your loved ones to figure out where and how you should be buried in the event of your sudden passing. Because of this, many people choose to make their burial arrangements in advance of their death, whether expected or unexpected. This allows close family and friends to fulfill your wishes in the event of your death quickly. Here are some tips to help you plan for your burial to ease the burden on your loved ones.
Cremation
One of the first decisions to make is whether or not to be cremated. This will not only impact the type of funeral or service you might have but will also affect your burial options. If you choose to be cremated, you may not choose to be buried at all. However, regardless of whether you are embalmed in a casket or your ashes are laid to rest in an urn, you can elect to be buried in a cemetery.
Cemetery Plot
Once you’ve decided on how you want your body to be buried, you can determine the place. If other family members who have predeceased you are already buried in a specific cemetery, you may want to find a plot there as well. You should also consider whether you will want a spouse or any children buried with or near you as you will need to ensure space and potentially secure those spots for them as well.
Headstone
Another consideration to plan for in advance of your burial is whether you need a headstone or will require a mausoleum or memorial object. It is important to consider the size and material of the stone that you would like to use, as well as the inscription that you want. Some even include a picture or meaningful design. Paying for a headstone in advance can alleviate a financial burden for your loved ones as they grieve your loss.
Type of Service
In addition to the burial, you may want to plan for a memorial service, calling hours, or a funeral so that everything is covered. You will want to be clear whether or not you want a simple celebration of life or a religious burial that requires collaboration with a place of worship. The timing of when these events would take place following your death will help to determine when your burial would take place.
Funeral Home
Finding a funeral home that will help you achieve your final wishes is also essential in making burial arrangements. The funeral home will take in your body once you have passed and process it according to your wishes. The directors can also help to coordinate with any place of worship and partner with the cemetery in order to bring all of the parts of your burial plan together.
Making your burial arrangements in advance might be hard to think about, but it’s something everyone should consider because death will happen to us all.
Published by: Khy Talara
