Funeral planning is one of those parts of life that are never easy, yet this process becomes even more complicated when you must help plan for the memorial of someone that you have been separated from for a period of time. Unfortunately, spouses sometimes pass away before you have the chance to get a divorce, and you may have just discovered that you are the closest relative that is in a position to plan the funeral. Naturally, you've got some tough decisions to make during what is likely to be an emotional time. As you work through your own responses to the loss, you can use these three tips to arrange for funeral home services that are appropriate for the situation:
Open Up to the Funeral Home Staff
You may feel a variety of different emotions right now, and you can rest assured that all of them are normal. While you may not want to talk to people about how you feel, you can lean on the support of the funeral home staff. Try to remember that they have seen people dealing with loss in just about every situation imaginable, and their job is to help. When you sit down for your first meeting, let them know that you were estranged from your spouse. This helps them to guide you through the process of planning a funeral for someone for whom you may no longer feel responsible. For instance, they can help you decide whether or not your spouse might have preferred a burial or cremation.
Think About the Needs and Preferences of Their Extended Family
If you have no idea what your spouse might have wanted, then it is also a good idea to consider what their other loved ones would want. Their surviving parents, siblings, and roommates may prefer to have a burial site where they can go to pay their respects. Alternatively, they may prefer a simple memorial that allows them to all be able to participate at a later date. Your spouse's friends and family members are also great resources for choosing a song to play at the funeral or picking out something to wear for their burial.
Consider Going With a Traditional Ceremony
You can also rarely go wrong with a traditional ceremony. Ask the funeral director about what is expected during a typical funeral. For instance, you may want to have a religious officiator say a few words and then play a song. If you anticipate a small turnout for the funeral, then you can also choose from options such as a graveside service that still honors your spouse while keeping things simple. Being able to go through the ceremony can also help you come to a point of acceptance as you finish your final responsibility toward your estranged spouse.
Share9 December 2019
When you love someone deeply, it can really hurt to lose them. Unfortunately, millions of people every year are put in that situation, creating an intense amount of hurt for themselves and their families. Fortunately, working with the right funeral home can really improve the outcome of your individual challenges. I wanted to start a website that centered around planning memorial services efficiently and effectively, so you aren't burdened by a lot of details on the day you should be focused on what's really important: friends, family, and remembering the person you lost. Read these posts to learn more about planning a memorial.