Funerals are inevitably emotional and difficult occasions. And whilst of course losing a loved one is incredibly sad, a funeral doesn’t have to be a sad and sombre event. Funerals are a celebration of life and should therefore be made to fit the person you are honouring. And with that in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to funerals.
So what should you be doing to make sure that your loved one’s funeral is as unique and wonderful as they were?
The service
Although traditionally, funerals tend to follow religious structures, they really don’t have to. When you’re planning a funeral for a loved one, you should first think about what kind of service they would want. Were they religious, and if so what religion did they follow? Or would they prefer to follow a different service structure without any religious ties at all? It’s also important to decide whether it will be a burial or a cremation.
Thinking about these two things will help put an overall structure to the funeral. Once you have this in place, you can start making all the other decisions.
Music
What kind of celebration did your loved one want? Would they prefer something traditional or contemporary? Once you’ve decided this, you can think about music. Hymns are often associated with funerals but you can sing or listen to any kind of music you want. Whether it’s hymns played on an organ, a live saxophonist playing Fly Me To The Moon or a recording of their favourite song, music can help set the mood and honour your loved one the way they would have wanted.
Participation
Although speaking in front of people at a funeral may not be your thing, one great way of making a funeral as unique as the person you are celebrating is by participating. Whether it’s a few words from family members or some musical performances by friends, getting friends and family involved in the service itself is a great way of honouring your loved one for exactly who they were. Because no priest, celebrant or even a recording of a song is going to know your loved one better than you.
Ask for help
You don’t organise funerals every day so why would you know all of the do’s and don’ts? And let’s face it, you’re also probably not in the best frame of mind to be organising everything yourself. Saying goodbye to a loved one can be incredibly tough so you shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. And that’s where getting funeral assistance from professionals can be invaluable.
Getting help from a funeral director or a company like Olsens Funerals for example will allow you to get the guidance and support you need to make the best arrangements for your loved one. These people organise funerals for a living and have several funeral templates that you can use to start planning. These kinds of companies can help you make the right decisions so that you can focus on grieving and supporting your friends and family. So whether you want a traditional, contemporary or a customised funeral plan, make sure you ask for help.
Conclusion
Planning a funeral can be stressful and emotional. Whilst it’s important to try and honour your loved one in the best way possible, it’s also equally as important to remember that there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to plan a funeral. How you choose to celebrate your loved one’s life is entirely up to you and you shouldn’t have to worry about tradition or convention.
It’s also important to remember that this is just one day. The fact that you and the rest of their friends and family are there to remember and celebrate them is already more than enough. So when you’re stressing out over which flowers to pick and what transport to choose, remember that your presence on the day and the love you had whilst they were alive are far more important than any of those details.
