Funeral Service Planning

If you are in charge of funeral service planning, this article will walk you through the process without worry or stress.

It is easy in a time of grief to forget the obvious and important tasks needed to provide a meaningful remembrance ceremony for a lost loved one.

This article will walk you through the basics of funeral service planning.

FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:

• STEP 1 – Determine the type of service you want
• STEP 2 – Decide on the schedule, venue, theme, and guest list
• STEP 3 – Publish the details of the event and send an invitation 
• STEP 4 – Decide who will officiate the service and who will give the eulogy
• STEP 5 – Choose the music to be used for the service
• STEP 6 – Select readings, arrange the sequence for the readings, poems, and speeches 
• STEP 7 – Create a program
• STEP 8 – Decide on the food and beverages
• STEP 9 – Arrange for webcasting
• STEP 10 – Send thank-you notes or thank-you gifts 

Conducting a funeral or memorial service can help friends and loved ones celebrate the deceased’s life while offering comfort and support to each other.

Funeral service can be held at home, the funeral home, crematoria, or places of worship, and a funeral or memorial service often reflects the deceased’s personality.

Nowadays, other venues such as community spaces, football grounds, burial sites, and beach areas can be perfect for holding a funeral service.

On the other hand, a memorial service can be held anywhere without the casket being present. 

Funeral Service Planning Steps

STEP 1 – Determine The Type Of Service You Want

The first step in funeral service planning is determining the type of service you want. You can go for a traditional funeral service or memorial service, or you can plan for a celebration of life.

If you are planning a religious funeral service or memorial service, talk with your minister or priest if they require certain prayers, hymns, or ceremonies to be included in the order of service.

Funeral service or memorial service

Here are some funeral service examples you can choose from:

• Funeral service, followed by burial or cremation
• Funeral service, followed by a graveside service or service at the crematory
• Graveside service followed by burial
• Service at the crematory followed by cremation
• Memorial service after the burial or cremation
• Funeral service at home
• Funeral service at the funeral home
• Funeral service at a place of worship

Celebration of life – can be a hybrid event. It can have a few aspects of the traditional funeral service with flexibility or celebrate the deceased’s unique personality. Celebration of life must ensure that this event meets the emotional and spiritual needs of the people who will attend.

STEP 2 – Decide On The Schedule, Venue, Theme And Guest List

After deciding on the type of service you want, you can now set the date and time of the funeral service.

You can schedule a funeral service while the body is present, or you can choose to have a memorial service or celebration of life after the burial.

The venue for the funeral service can be held at your home, the funeral home, a place of worship, or any place that holds a special meaning. Make sure that your venue can accommodate the number of people you expect to be at the service before booking the place.

A funeral service can have a theme, such as religious, military, fraternal, etc.

Preparing a guest list will help you plan for all the people you want to invite to the funeral service. You may also prepare a formal invitation or can send an invitation digitally based on your needs and budget.

STEP 3 – Publish The Details Of The Event And Send An Invitation

After you set up the funeral service’s date, time, and venue, you can have it published in local newspapers (if needed).

You also have the option to publish it online at the funeral home’s website, online obituary sites, and social media.

Asking for an RSVP via mobile, email, or social media will help you determine the number of people who will attend and have an estimate of the amount of food and refreshments you will need.

STEP 4 – Decide Who Will Officiate The Service And Who Will Give The Eulogy

A funeral service does not have to be led by a religious minister or priest. You can choose a funeral celebrant to officiate your loved one’s funeral service. It can also be led by a member of a family or a friend.

You will want to determine who will write and deliver the eulogy beforehand.

Family members or close friends often write and give a personal eulogize.

If desired, you can choose more than one person to give a eulogy. However, their speech must be timed, and most funeral venues have a time limit.

STEP 5 – Choose The Music To Be Used For The Service

Choose the music or meaningful songs to be used during the service that reflects the deceased’s personality. 

Decide if you want:

• Pre-recorded music
• Live music
• Soloist, group, musicians
• Special songs
• Hymns

You can arrange for a soloist, organist, or choir to perform during the funeral service. You can also have musician friends or family members play at the service.

If the funeral service is conducted in a place of worship, check with your pastor or religious officers if there are some restrictions. Ask for the type of songs or hymns that should be played during the service. 

STEP 6 – Select Readings, Arrange The Sequence For The Readings, Poems, And Speeches

Incorporating reading into the order of the service is a good way of allowing family and friends to play an integral part in the service.

Decide if you want any of the following to be presented during the service:

• Readings
• Poems
• Prayers
• Scriptures
• Speeches

These selected readings should provide a meaningful tribute to the deceased and can give comfort to the grieving.

Select the people who would do the reading and arrange the proper sequence.

STEP 7 – Create A Program

If you decide to go for a religious funeral service, ask your minister for guidelines on the service order. Some religions may require you to include specific prayers or readings in the service.

Arrange the order of the service and the people who will be involved.

You can also make a printed copy of the program or the service order to be distributed at the event to guide all the attendees.

STEP 8 – Decide On The Food And Beverages

Decide on the food and beverages to be served after the service. You can have it professionally catered or provided by “potluck” attendees.

Check the RSVP to determine how many people will attend the service, so you can prepare enough food and beverages for the attendees.

STEP 9 – Arrange For Webcasting

The funeral service can be webcasted or recorded so that other family members or friends who cannot attend can participate in the event or at a later date. 

If you want this provided, coordinate with the funeral home if they have this service, or if you need to find something on the web. 

STEP 10 – Send Thank-you Notes Or Thank-you Gifts

It is kind and thoughtful to send thank-you notes or thank-you gifts to the friends or family who helped with the service.

Also, don’t forget to send thank you messages to people who send donations instead of funeral flowers.

How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?

Finding an insurance policy while planning for funeral services can be frustrating; working with an independent agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker.

If you have a health history or pre-existing medical conditions, let us help you; we will work with you side by side to find a plan that fits your needs. We will shop your case at different insurance carriers and get you the best price.

We work with many A+ rated insurance carriers that specialize in covering high-risk clients like you.  We will search all those companies and match you up with the best burial insurance company that gives the best rate.

We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. So, if you are looking for funeral insurance, or burial insurance, or final expense life insurance.

Fill out our quote form on this page or call us at 888) 862-9456, and we can give you an accurate quote.