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Special Angels: Lessons They Don't Teach In School


About Me

Special Angels: Lessons They Don't Teach In School

As the manager of a home for physically and intellectually challenged children, I have a variety of jobs. One special job is organising a funeral when one of our angels passes on. My goal is to make the occasion joyous and comforting for the families of the children. Our carers also develop strong bonds with these children, and the service is a release of emotion for them as well. Over the years, I have worked with many excellent funeral directors and developed a range of options that make each service unique and memorable. In recent times, friends have started to ask me for advice when they find themselves in the difficult situation of organising a funeral. I have created this blog as I realise that textbooks and school lessons really don't prepare you for this important task. I wish you well.

How To Choose A Funeral Home

Are you looking for a funeral home? It could be you are pre-planning your funeral or need somewhere to store your loved one's remains awaiting burial. Below is a piece to help you choose a funeral home. 

Funeral Director   

The funeral director is a critical aspect of the funeral planning process. Typically, the professional handles the ins and outs of funeral planning to ensure family members have adequate time to mourn their loved ones. The secret is ensuring the funeral director at the funeral home has the expertise needed to execute your preferred funeral. Customer reviews help assess the director's work ethic and professionalism. However, you should also conduct due diligence to ensure they are the right fit.

For instance, if you intend to hold a cultural funeral, assess whether the director is well acquainted with your cultural beliefs. Moreover, ask the director to draw a funeral plan to evaluate their critical-thing, organization, and problem-solving skills. Finally, the funeral director must have a lovable personality. Remember, they have to deal with riving family members who might need some empathy. 

Services

What services are available at the funeral home? You might need some or all of these services; 

  • A van to move the remains from the funeral home to the burial site. In some cases, you need additional transport for our guests.
  • How do you intend to dispose of the remains of your loved one? If you plan to hold a cremation, discuss with the funeral director to ensure the funeral home can respect the last wishes of the deceased. For instance, they might want their ashes made into jewellery.
  • Does the funeral home offer tents, marquees, seats, sound and lighting? You need this equipment when planning wakes, memorials, and the funeral.
  • Ask the funeral home to send a quote before engaging their services. Remember to bargain the rate and ask for complimentary services. For instance, you could negotiate for free bouquets or complimentary drinks after the funeral service. 

Availability of pre-paid policies  

A pre-paid funeral plan comes in handy when pre-planning your funeral. Typically, the plan is a policy that pays the funeral costs once you pass away. It is always wise to evaluate the conditions of the plan. For instance, how much does the plan cost? Can you make payments in instalments? Does the plan consider inflation? How long does the funeral home take to make payments after your demise? What costs does the plan pay for? The assessment should help you choose a suitable plan.