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Funeral Planning And Memorial Services
- Advice From A Licensed Funeral Director
By Jerry R. Guy
As cremation rates continue to rise across the United
States, more and more families are now opting to have
memorial services in lieu of a traditional funeral.
Memorial services do offer certain advantages and as a
funeral director, I believe this trend will continue to
grow.
One of the primary reasons I believe more people are
choosing cremation is the "time factors" involved.
Families are extended across states (and countries)
making the traditional two or three day funeral service
not feasible. I hear quite often while making funeral
plans, "we just can't get everyone home to have a
regular funeral." Understandably, these families are
choosing to wait until other family members can gather
for services. Cremation allows for these time factors,
giving families more latitude in scheduling service
dates. This has lead to the increased popularity of
memorial services in my opinion.
Service location is another reason why I believe more
families are deciding on memorial services. Unlike a
traditional funeral service which is usually held at a
chapel, church or graveside, a memorial service may be
held at any location that a family may decide to gather.
This allows for personalization of the services. I've
assisted families in coordinating memorial services from
golf courses to cruise ships. Others simply desire to
honor their loved ones with a few close friends from the
serenity of their homes, at a date and time of their
choosing.
Most funeral providers now offer special options for
those families who desire memorial services outside
traditional facilities. In many instances, funeral homes
and other funeral facilities have special arrangements
with local restaurants, hotels, banquet facilities,
etc., that offer discounts and accommodations for these
types of services and family gatherings. I advise
checking with your funeral provider of choice before
scheduling a memorial service at any these type of
businesses. They may be able to assist you with
referrals and other options that could lead to discounts
and savings.
As with any growing trend, popularity will dictate
options and offerings. The funeral industry is adapting
to these changes with an increased focus on
personalization of services. This will lead to more
options for those families wishing to honor their loved
ones in their own way.
Jerry R. Guy is an active licensed funeral director and
author. More information on how to save money planning
funeral services can be found at his sites: http://www.integritypreneedsolutions.com
or http://www.beforeplanningafuneral.com |
