Plan ceremony specifics

Shortly into the planning of the funeral you will need to consider the details on the ceremony itself. If you are working with a funeral home and they are handling other services at the time, they might only have certain time slots available, so that is a good place to start as far as setting a schedule. The funeral director will need to know each detail of the services, so they should be involved closely in this process. Keep in mind that if the deceased has family out of town that you should leave time for them to make travel arrangements and arrive. If you are holding visitation hours, consider how many people might be attending. Today, funerals for the most part, have two to three hours of visitation, funeral services the next day, followed by a committal service at a cemetery.

Length of Visitiation

In the deceased was well-known in the community – such as a local business owner, beloved teacher, or politician – you might consider longer viewing hours.  Funerals for younger people also can draw a large crowd of fellow students, teachers, and others who knew them from activities, sports team, etc. You should consider the wants of the family and whether they feel like they will be able to endure visitation hours and, if so, how many. If visitation hours are wanted, it is a good idea to include some during the day for those who aren’t comfortable driving after dark or work in the evenings, as well as evening hours for those who might have school or work during the day.

Location of Visitation

In many cases, visitation will take place at a funeral home, but there can be other options, such as at a private home or church hall. If a large crowd is predicted, at times community centers and even schools can host services. Decide where you would like visitation to occur and consider where the funeral will be held. You want to leave enough time between these events so that people can drive from one to the other without stress. In some cases, a funeral procession can be helpful as it helps direct everyone where they need to be if they are unfamiliar with the area.

Open vs. Closed Casket

Other things to consider at this point are details such as whether the casket will be closed or open. If the deceased died as a result of an accident, an open casket might not be possible. The funeral director, however, can advise regarding this matter as they will handle preparing the body for viewing. The decision regarding having an open or closed casket comes down to the tradition of the family in some cases, so you should consult with them on this matter. To some, being able to see the deceased in the casket provides comfort as well as helps them accept the death. Others dislike seeing the dead, and prefer to remember them as they were when alive. Private open casket viewing for family is also an option, with the casket then being closed for public visitation.

Confirmation by Family for Closed Casket

Typically, a funeral director will ask at least one person in the family to view the deceased even when the casket will be closed.  This is so that the family can be confident that the deceased was cared for and dressed and any items, such as jewelry and memorabilia, are placed in the casket, per their wishes.

Scheduling of Clergy and Other Particpants

If you are having funeral services in addition to visitations hours, you also will need to schedule any speakers, singers, and religious rituals that you want to be part of it. If a member of the clergy will be speaking, he or she can tell you how their services are normally arranged and when and if it would be appropriate for others to offer a eulogy or a song. If no clergy are involved in services, you can design the schedule however you and the family wish.

Graveside Service Details

Finally, if a gravesite service is planned, determine if it will be just for family or if all are welcomed. Also, you should consider if you would like someone to speak at this point, such as a member of the clergy. In some cases, a final prayer is offered at gravesite when the deceased is placed in the ground. But this is entirely up to the family and if a final prayer is said at an earlier funeral service, repeating it at the grave site might be viewed as unnecessary.

Regardless of what you choose to include or not, it is important to have a schedule. Family members will likely be stressed and absent-minded during this time, so having a written schedule to refer to and follow can make it a little easier. Remember though, as much as you might try to schedule the day or days during this time, it will be important to have some flexibility. The deceased’s family and other loved ones might need a small, unplanned break here and there, and events such as visitation can run long. A funeral director will do his or her best to keep things on track, so make sure they are informed of all aspects of services.