Having a plan — Everything about funeral planning.
A comprehensive guide to funeral planning
Planning a funeral is an emotionally challenging task, as it requires dealing with grief while making critical decisions. In this modern age, technology has become a valuable ally, aiding families in coping with loss and alleviating some of the burdens associated with organizing a funeral.
In this article, we present a step-by-step funeral planning checklist along with insights into how technology can support individuals during this difficult time.
Immediate Actions:
Notify Loved Ones: Begin by informing close friends and family members of the passing. Utilize messaging apps or social media platforms to disseminate the news quickly and efficiently.
Funeral Home Selection: Research local funeral homes and read reviews online to select a reputable and reliable service provider.
Legal Documents: Gather important documents such as the deceased’s will, identification, and any prearranged funeral plans they might have made.
Funeral Pre-Planning:
Discuss Wishes: If possible, discuss the funeral wishes of the departed or use any pre-planning documents they might have left behind.
Create a Budget: Use budgeting apps to help determine how much you can allocate for the funeral expenses.
Funeral Arrangements:
Decide on Burial or Cremation: Discuss with family members to make this significant choice, and keep in mind any religious or cultural preferences.
Choose a Venue: Whether a funeral home, religious institution, or other location, utilize venue finder apps to locate suitable places.
Select Date and Time: Use calendar apps to check availability and choose a convenient date and time for the service.
Funeral Director Consultation: Schedule an appointment with the funeral director to discuss arrangements, flower choices, and other details.
Funeral Technology Solutions:
Online Memorial Pages: Create a virtual memorial page where people can share memories, photos, and condolences. Platforms like Everlasting Memories and Legacy.com can help facilitate this.
Live-streaming Services: As travel restrictions may prevent some individuals from attending the funeral in person, consider live streaming the service so that loved ones from afar can participate. Platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube can be used for this purpose.
Funeral Planning Apps: Utilize apps that provide funeral planning checklists, budgeting tools, and guidance throughout the process.
Online Donations: If the family prefers donations in lieu of flowers, setup an online donation platform like GoFundMe or JustGiving to make it easier for people to contribute.
Funeral Ceremony:
Order of Service: Use funeral program templates available online to create an order of service with details about the program, hymns, readings, and speakers.
Eulogy Presentation: Utilize slideshow applications to prepare a touching eulogy presentation featuring photographs and memories of the departed.
Post-Funeral Tasks:
Gratitude and Acknowledgment: Utilize email or social media to send thank-you notes to those who attended the funeral or contributed to the memorial page or donations.
Ongoing Support: Continue to use the virtual memorial page as a platform for ongoing support and remembrance.
Conclusion:
While the process of planning a funeral is undoubtedly a daunting one, technology can be an invaluable asset in supporting individuals during this challenging time. From immediate notifications to distant loved ones, virtual memorial pages, live-streaming services, and funeral planning apps, technology can alleviate some of the logistical burdens, allowing families to focus on honoring and remembering their loved ones.
Embracing these technological solutions can bring comfort and unity to those navigating through the grief of losing a cherished person.