By Andrew Hoffman
As I continue this series on preplanning funerals, keep in mind that each step you take makes life easier for your loved ones.
So now you have had your discussion with your family and the funeral director, so you are all on the same page. The funeral director will make a record of the choices that were made. This would include if the individual wanted to be buried or cremated. In regard to being buried, it would define what type of burial (Traditional Burial, Green Burial or entombment), where the burial would take place (cemetery or mausoleum). If there is to be a viewing and if so, is the person to be embalmed or not. It would also list for how long the viewing would be for, as an example a two hour viewing the night before at the funeral home and an hour viewing before the service. It would also list where the viewing and/or services are to be held meaning at the funeral home, church, cemetery or any other venue. The prearrangement will also have a record of the type of casket and if it is a burial in the ground.
In regard to cremation, (if that is chosen) the prearrangement will define what type of cremation it is to be, meaning, a full-service cremation, cremation memorial service or direct cremation. If full-service cremation, just like a traditional service it will list where and for how long the viewing will be and where the service will take place and when and where the cremation will take place. For a cremation memorial service, the prearrangement will state if there is to be a time set aside for a visitation either before or after the memorial service, if at all. For all the different types of cremation the prearrangement will explain what is to be done with the ashes following the cremation and/or services itself. This can include burying the ashes, scattering the ashes, keeping the ashes or all three because ashes can be separated and different things can be done with each portion, but that is another article.
