Following the death of a family member, one of your immediate priorities is to select a funeral home to host the visitation and funeral. Although it might be tempting during this time of grief to simply settle for the funeral home closest to where you live, it's always worthwhile to do a little comparison shopping until you find a business that best suits your needs. Your priorities during this process include determining costs and ensuring each funeral home is available on the days you need it. However, there are more questions you should ask. Here are three other important factors to consider.
Meet The Funeral Director
When you visit each funeral home, ask to meet the funeral director. In small communities, this is the person who will often meet with prospective clients, but in larger cities, funeral homes typically have representatives to sit with you and your family. Meeting the funeral director, even briefly, can help you get a feeling about the funeral home. Does the director seem patient and genuine while listening to your questions, or is he or she rushed and distracted? Is he or she able to answer your various questions in a manner that you feel is helpful and honest? The feeling you get from a short conversation with the funeral director can influence your decision.
Consider The Intangibles
It's worth taking note of a handful of items that might not seem as important as the funeral cost, but can still ensure your events run smoothly. Note the overall condition of the funeral home as you walk through it. The floors should be clean and you shouldn't see signs that the home hasn't been cared for. Outside, the grounds should well groomed regardless of the season. Check the cleanliness and size of the bathrooms; if you anticipate a large gathering for the event, cramped bathrooms can be a nuisance to your guests. Finally, consider the location and parking situations. Is the funeral home easy to access or will it be tough to find for people coming from out of town? Is there adequate parking?
Ask For Handouts
It can be an overwhelming feeling to sit down with a funeral director or representative and discuss your needs. Although it's wise to take as many notes as possible, a professional, well-run funeral home should be able to give you documentation that provides information about the price of each funeral add-on, caskets, urns and other charges. By receiving a pile of documentation, you can take it home to review, discuss with your family and make the decisions that best suit your needs.
To learn more, contact a funeral home like Hempstead Funeral Home.
Share23 June 2015
Following the death of my grandfather, I found myself in the awkward position of having to write the obituary. I wanted to capture the spirit of him and list everything he was proud of in his life, including his family and work accomplishments. However, at the same time, I knew that I had a limited amount of space to work with. After spending hours researching obituaries, I finally felt confident in my skills and proceeded to write my grandfather's. In my opinion, it was perfect. Writing an obituary while you are grieving your loss is challenging, but I hope that my website helps you write one for your loved one that helps capture who they were as a person.