Here at Heart and Soul, we understand how difficult it is to be organised enough and make clear decisions when you are bereaved. Giving yourself time to make the best decisions you can will help you. Even when a death occurs with some warning most of us are surprised by the sense of shock and ensuing turmoil of complex emotions.
We are taking extracts from our book, We Need to Talk about the Funeral, to help people when arranging a funeral for someone immediately after their death. The Six Important Questions are a starting point:
- Are you aware of any written or spoken preferences of the person who has died concerning their funeral arrangements?
- Do you need to choose between a burial and a cremation?
- If burial, have you chosen a cemetery, local parish churchyard, woodland or natural burial site? Have you considered a burial on private land?
- Would you like to look after the person at home for some or all of the period before the funeral?
- Do you already have a preference for a funeral director, or do you need to choose one based on research?
- Would you, your family and friends like to have some active involvement in: • caring for the body • decorating or making the coffin • the content of the funeral ceremony • conducting or participating in the ceremony?
