Making funeral arrangements can be an emotional and administrative process, which is why it is usually easier to have these discussions with loved ones while they are still alive. Here is a how-to guide to make the period easier for you and your family to know what you should be aware of.
Common components of a funeral
One of the first steps when having to arrange a funeral is to make sure that a death certificate is obtained and that the body is transported to the mortuary or the funeral home. After this you will have to choose a funeral home and work closely with them to select a casket or cremation container. The funeral directors will guide you through the process and assist with the documentation involved if your loved one had a funeral cover policy. You will have to notify close family and friends and establish a date for a funeral or memorial service. Gather information and photographs for the funeral programme and determine who will be pallbearers, which songs will be sung in the memorial service, and who will guide the service.
Funeral and burial instructions
If your loved one left funeral and burial instructions, it will make the arrangements infinitely easier for family, as there will be specific instructions to follow, instead of having to guess what their loved one would have wanted. Some details to include:
> Would you want a funeral or a memorial service?
> Where would you want the service to be held?
> Do you want to be buried or cremated?
> Do you have a funeral cover policy, and if so, what information would your family need?
> Would you have any final wishes for your funeral or burial?
What do funeral directors need to know?
Your funeral director will need the funeral cover policy number to verify it. They will ask various questions pertaining to what type of funeral or service you would want for your loved one and fill out forms as next of kin to obtain a death certificate. You will be asked where the service will be held, what flower arrangements you would want, what catering you have in mind, whether you’d want them to design the funeral programmes for you, what type of hearse you would need, and so forth. The funeral director will be your go-to person during this time and will be able to assist you with any information or guidance you might need.
If you would like to discuss our funeral cover policy to get yourself and your loved ones covered, contact Total Risk Administrators today: https://totalrisksa.co.za/funeral-cover/
