Funeral directors have been one of the cornerstones of local communities for hundreds of years, acting as the trusted custodians of countless loved ones as they say goodbye one last time. And while some families may be happy to handle specific aspects of the funeral planning process, most will need the help of a funeral director at some point.
Planning a funeral, especially if it’s a first experience, can be overwhelming, upsetting and stressful. This does not even take into account the complex world of fees or admin tasks that you may not be experienced enough to deal with without some sort of expert help.
Many funeral directors are local, knowledgeable in everything that you could possibly need to know and have been in the business for generations. But what exactly can you expect from a funeral director once you have chosen who is to orchestrate your loved one’s final moments?
Initial care of your loved one
Not every family will need the thorough input and help from a funeral director regarding the planning process. However, one of the most immediate tasks that a funeral director will perform when you first get in touch is the removal and transportation of your loved one’s body, whether this takes place at a hospital, a care home or even your own home.
This is understandably an extremely emotional and heart breaking process for family and friends, and your funeral director’s job is to try to the best of their ability, to put you at ease during this difficult first meeting. Many directors will sit with family members over a cup of tea when first arriving at their home in order to build that trusting relationship despite the devastating circumstances.
Funeral directors are also responsible for taking care of loved ones once they are already transported back to the funeral home. This will also include preparing them for the funeral service itself with processes such as embalming; a process during which a body is prepared for burial. Funeral directors will be responsible for dressing your loved ones and ensuring they have everything you wish them to have in the coffin on the day of the funeral.
Some funeral directors may even build their own mortuaries in order to offer the best care possible. Mortuaries are essential for a funeral director to operate in a respectful manner, as this means they are able to maintain all control over your loved one’s care.
Administrative responsibilities
Even on a good day, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is paperwork. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be opted out of when it comes to the passing of someone we love and even funerals come with their own administrative necessities.
One of the first responsibilities that needs to be taken care of when someone dies, for example, is registering their death. This, unfortunately, cannot be filled in by your funeral director, but many will be able to aid and direct you in the process. Many funeral directors have dedicated pages on their websites that guide families through the admin process step by step when registering a death. Alternatively, you are also welcome to give your local funeral director a call to ask for help.
The admin does not stop there, unfortunately. Throughout the funeral planning process, you may have to produce documents and application forms relating to your choice of burial or cremation. Your funeral director will be able to assist you in all the necessary preparations once you have chosen the type of funeral you wish to have. After all, funeral directors are there to help relieve the burden as much as they can and understand that filling out paperwork may not be your number one priority after the loss of someone close to you.
Planning the funeral
Ultimately, the funeral director’s main responsibilities are to help families and loved ones plan the funeral itself. Depending on circumstances, some families may be very aware as to what they need or want out of a funeral service. Perhaps their loved one was elderly or a death was expected and plans were already partially put in place, or perhaps specific wishes and details were outlined in a will. Regardless of how much experience you have or how much you already have prepared, a funeral director will be able to help you with as much as you need.
Funeral homes will work alongside you and your family to ensure everyone is happy and your loved one is remembered in the way you would wish. Prior to the funeral itself, they will work with you to choose the location of the funeral based on the local area, aid you in choosing the funeral products for your need and budget (such as coffins or urns) as well as ordering and organising any additional needs. They will work out timings for everything that needs to take place, including a reception, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track. Floristry, transport and even music can also all be arranged by your funeral director should you wish.
During the funeral itself, your funeral director will often be responsible for distributing the funeral order of service or keepsakes. If you are having a non religious ceremony, your funeral director may also be your celebrant and lead the service for you and your loved ones, inviting family members up to speak and conduct their eulogies.
During the planning and organisation process, the funeral director’s job is to ensure that you and your loved ones are able to go through this process with as little stress as possible. Organising a funeral can be a challenge and sometimes feel like a burden when emotions are running high and you don’t know where to turn. The helping hand that a funeral director offers to take as much of those worries away as possible can be invaluable.
Support and care
Funeral directors work with grieving families all day every day and are specially trained to provide support and empathy to each and every person they help. This support and guidance does not have to be limited to the funeral planning process either. Directors can guide you through the process of finding a prepaid funeral plan or helping you to decide what your final wishes for your own funeral may be in order to make the process easier on your family when the time comes.
However, if you are contacting a funeral director for the first time due to the loss of a loved one, they are also there to give you the emotional support that you will likely need during such a difficult time. Emotions will run high amongst family members and a funeral director often acts as a neutral third party who is able to listen and help you to feel less alone, whilst not being immediately involved.
Compassion is what runs through the veins of most funeral homes and without it, funeral directors would not be able to provide the sort of care that is necessary when helping and working with grieving families. Some funeral directors even provide ongoing bereavement support after the funeral to maintain that line of support and care with their clients.
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Funeral directors are there to take care of any and every need relating to a funeral and as such, are trained and experienced in many different disciplines. They act as event planners, as support for families, as admin assistants and often even as mediators when families are uncertain or experiencing tension. That’s why it is so important to choose a funeral director that truly fits your needs and your requirements. The right funeral director can turn the experience into something that you and your family will hopefully be able to remember positively years down the line, remembering the life of your loved one the way you and they would have wanted.
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