Funeral and memorial planning
Planning a meaningful farewell
A farewell does not have to be elaborate to be meaningful. It may be traditional or informal, held soon after the death or later when more people can gather. The right choices are the ones that honor your loved one and feel manageable for those making them.
Decisions that may come first
- Consider any wishes your loved one expressed about burial, cremation, visitation or a service.
- Choose the people who should help make decisions and one person who can communicate arrangements to others.
- Decide whether a funeral home, place of worship, cemetery, family home or another meaningful place fits the gathering.
- Ask for clear written costs before agreeing to services or merchandise.
Making the gathering personal
- Invite stories, photographs, music, readings, prayers or objects that reflect the person’s life.
- Ask whether family members or friends want a role—and make it easy for them to decline.
- If faith was important to your loved one, contact their clergy or faith community for guidance.
- Consider a simple gathering after the service where people can share food and memories.
Writing the obituary
An obituary can preserve the facts of a life while also helping people recognize the person within them. FHGR’s online guide gives you a calm place to collect those details before you begin writing.