Getting through a loved one’s death can be an emotionally challenging ordeal. Grief can manifest in different ways and may cause changes in your behaviour that you are not prepared for. This sudden deluge of emotions may even lead to episodes of prolonged inactivity, which can be more damaging to your grief process.
To get over this, you can visit angerandanxiety.com and take to a profession or allow yourself to redirect your energy and focus on something else, while still taking the time to let the emotions flow through your body. One of the best ways that you can do that is by arranging the funeral of your loved ones.
You might think of this as counterproductive, but acting on the funeral and wake arrangements allows you to accept the passing of that person. It also tethers your emotions to reality and gives you the time to honour the deceased. Here are some of the basic ways that you can arrange a solemn and venerating funeral ceremony:
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List Any Final Wishes
Even with the passing on of the loved one, their final wishes (should they have any) for the funeral should still be respected and followed. Doing so allows them to still have autonomy over themselves, and as their loved one, it’s your responsibility to follow it.
Before you plan anything out, make sure to ask other close loved ones if they knew about any pre-arranged or conceived plans. If the deceased left clear instructions, it’s your responsibility to deliver on every detail.
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Hire a Funeral Director
Arranging funeral events on your own can be a challenging job. This is because you’re also dealing with the loss as well. While you’re in grief, you may not be able to act out right away as some tasks might be emotionally triggering for you.
Fortunately, there are funeral directors who can help you manage these tasks so you can give an honourable send-off for your departed loved one.
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Decide Between Burial or Cremation
Burial and cremation each have their pros and cons. If the deceased has given out their request, you should follow them. However, if they didn’t, consider carefully the preference of the whole family.
Cremations can sometimes be expensive depending on how elaborate you want the ceremony to be. However, it also has the advantage of privacy as you process your grief because you can always take home the ashes without having the ceremony itself.
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Consider the Costs
Funerals just like any major life ceremony will incur costs. Depending on how you want it conducted, the budget for it should be reasonable for the whole family of the deceased. If the deceased has a life insurance policy, it can help cover these fees.
If you also want to document this moment by hiring a family portrait photography service, make sure that they are briefed on what the occasion is, and how you want it captured. They’re also an extra cost, so be careful that you still stick to your budget.
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Arrange the Funeral Service
Organizing a smooth funeral service requires more than just attention to the body of the deceased. You have to consider the mourners as well and cater to their needs.
From logistics, food, attendance, paperwork, floral arrangements, and eulogies you’ll have to coordinate these numerous aspects with your funeral director to have the most solemn and respectful ceremony for the deceased.
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Set the Date and Don’t Forget the Invites
Different cultures have their own traditions when it comes to the duration of funeral wakes and the day of burial. Some may opt to have a longer time for the wake while others will expedite the process by proceeding with the burial right away.
Depending on the tradition of the deceased and the majority of their loved ones, you have to make sure that this duration should be respected. If you’re planning to invite people to stay for a while, don’t forget to tell them the specific schedule and dates.
You can also provide them with a bus service in Toronto, for easier transportation.
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Customize Flowers, Music, and Readings
There are different ways to commemorate the death of a loved one. To honour them at their funeral you can pay tribute through flowers, music, and readings that may have been significant during their lifetime.
As you plan for the ceremony don’t forget to choose options that are truly meaningful for them and their loved ones. You should also coordinate with the honoured guests who would give a eulogy to ensure a smooth ceremony.
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Plan a Get-Together
Grief is better processed when it’s shared by a community. Once the deceased has been buried, a better way for the family and friends to accept the passing could be an informal get-together occasion, where they can freely air out their sorrow and sadness. You can even hire a funeral catering from Toronto to provide food during this intimate moment or the wake.
With these general tips, you’ll be able to properly honour the life of the deceased by holding a smooth funeral ceremony. Having this occasion well-arranged in a short period is vital as it will be the last moment that the family and friends will be able to pay their respects and farewell.