A Guide to Finding the Funeral Home That is Right for You
While the passing of a loved one is one of the most emotionally difficult things you can deal with, choosing the right funeral home to celebrate and honor their legacy will help bring peace and closure. And while you are grieving, it can be challenging to navigate the process of finding a funeral home to prepare end-of-life arrangements for your loved one. Whether you are mourning the death of a loved one right now, or pre-planning, we have created a handy guide below, offering tips and advice to help you find a local funeral home that will be right for you.
What Should You Look for in a Funeral Home?
1) Convenient Location
It is important that the location of the funeral home is close enough for you and your family to comfortably commute to, as you will be making several visits there. You may also want to consider the location that your loved one would have preferred to have their service performed at and factor that into the decision. If you will be arranging a burial service after the funeral proceedings, you should also consider the funeral home’s proximity to the cemetery or burial site and find out if the funeral home will offer transportation services for you and your family, as well.
2) Clear and Transparent Pricing
This is an emotionally trying time, and the last thing you want is to feel guilted into purchasing a package of unnecessary things that can potentially hike up the price of the service. The funeral home you choose should be upfront, honest and transparent in their pricing, as well as abide by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (you can find out more about your rights according to the stipulations of the law, at the link here) It is a delicate balance, finding a funeral home that will work within with your budget, while paying tribute to your loved one in a meaningful way.
3) Attractive Amenities and Comfortable Atmosphere
As this will be the final place that you will honor your loved one, it is important that you are happy with the ambiance and amenities the funeral home offers. A warm and inviting atmosphere, well-kept facilities, and welcoming customer service will help create a satisfactory environment to pay proper respect to your loved one and bring closure to you and your family.
When surveying the grounds of the funeral home, you should consider the various elements you are looking for in a funeral service for your loved one, and if the funeral home will be able to meet those needs. For example, you may ask yourself questions such as: does this funeral home have a chapel or offer a space for other visitations, do they offer embalming or cremation services, etc.? When contemplating these different factors, you should also acknowledge your loved one’s wishes, to ensure that you are arranging a service that meets their personal desires as well.
4) Good Reputation and Committed to the Families It Serves
In deciding on the funeral home in which you will honor your loved one’s legacy, you of course want to be confident in its reputation and its dedication to the families it serves. Take some time to review the funeral home’s mission statement and evaluate if the funeral home’s ideologies, commitments, and values align with you, your loved one, and your family’s. You can also read reviews to find out about other people’s experiences with the funeral home, to help you determine if it is the right one for you.
5) Accommodations (Religious, Cultural, Etc.)
It is important that the funeral home you choose is understanding of and makes any accommodations necessary to help facilitate the best service for you, your loved one and family. This means that the funeral home should be accommodating of your personal religious beliefs, or cultural traditions your family observes. As the United States population continues to evolve, growing more diverse in its religions and cultures, the funeral home you choose should be cognizant of these changes as well, and make an effort to adapt to your needs.
Beyond religious or cultural accommodations, if you have any physical or other kinds disabilities, the funeral home should regard these as well with the utmost respect and care.
Losing a loved one is always difficult. Finding the right funeral home to honor their legacy can make all the difference. With the largest directory of funeral homes in the country, you are sure to find a local funeral home that is the best fit for you and your loved ones’ needs. Browse our expansive list of funeral homes, to find the right one for you and family.
