Information for families and friends
When it comes to planning the funeral of someone we love it can sometimes be difficult to know where to begin. If the person who has died has left some instructions the funeral director will be a good person to talk these over with. On the other hand if you or others are beginning to plan the funeral here are a few thoughts which are offered as gentle starters in your planning:
‘If you close your eyes what do you remember as important to your loved one, what do you think they would have wanted for their funeral?’
There are also some questions you can ask yourself which may help:
- Who would they have wanted to attend? Is it just a few people or would they have liked everyone to be invited?
- If they would have wanted a service would this be in a church or a crematorium?
- If they wished to be cremated where will they be laid to rest?
If you think a service or ceremony is appropriate:
- What would you like included: music? readings? memories?
- Would you like hymns or prayers or any faith content?
- Who would you like to take part in the service? If you have young people in your family they also may like to have the opportunity to take part
- What sort of thoughts would you like people to go away with at the end of the service?
Don’t feel you have to think about all the details yourself, speak to other members of the families or friends, or your funeral director may be able to help. Your funeral director is there to support you and guide you in all the things that need to be arranged, including the service or ceremony.
If you don’t have a funeral director in mind, please refer to our ‘Things to consider when choosing a funeral director’ leaflet which will give you some advice that may help.
Ann Fulton, Spiritual Care Coordinator at St Margaret’s Hospice Care is available to support loved ones of people under the care of the hospice. Please contact Ann via: 07736 886142 or email [email protected]
At St Margaret’s Hospice Care we work with all funeral directors across Somerset. For an up to date list of funeral directors in your area we would suggest using an internet search engine, such as Google.
Bereavement Support