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Tips For A Funeral Service
The loss of a loved one is very difficult on many levels. Unless the deceased has made burial arrangements before their passing, it becomes the family's responsibility. Before getting started with funeral service plans, remember that this is a chance to gather with others to share memories that celebrate the individual's life.
The first step is choosing through which funerary establishment the arrangements will be made. They usually assign an event coordinator to walk the family through the process. Their purpose is to advise on things such as making sure all the legal documents are completed, creating the obituary, picking a casket or urn, and all the little details that go into the memorial and interment services.
It is also necessary to decide who will be conducting the proceedings. Traditionally, it would be the deceased's minister or spiritual leader. If they were not associated with any particular group of that type, the position may be given to another cleric or perhaps to someone who was close to the individual and knew them quite well.
Next is deciding where the proceedings will be held. The coordinator can help with finding a location, setting up floral deliveries, casket preparation and display, providing audio and video equipment and handling reception details. They can also suggest appropriate music, poems or verses and design a memorial handout or event program.
Some of the bereaved may wish to contribute to the final tribute by sharing special memories. The eulogy is perhaps the most difficult aspect of the preparation process since it will generally evoke a lot of emotion. This is a heartfelt speech, lasting approximately five minutes, in which the deceased's life is summarized and their special attributes honored.
There are many details in planning a funeral service. The family may wish to provide a guest book for mourners to sign and leave a message if desired, a special table for the display of photographs and memorabilia, as well as a handout which not only guides the proceedings but acts as a memento of the occasion. Because this is a difficult time for all involved, the event is usually designed to last no more than an hour.
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