Funerals fill an important role for those mourning the loss of a loved one. By providing surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive environment in which to share thoughts and feelings about the death, funerals are the first step in the healing process.

The ritual of attending a funeral service provides many benefits including:

• Providing a social support system for the bereaved.
• Helping the bereaved understand death is final and that death is part of life.
• Integrating the bereaved back into the community.
• Easing the transition to a new life after the death of a loved one.
• Providing a safe haven for embracing and expressing pain.
• Reaffirming one’s relationship with the person who died.
• Providing a time to say good-bye.

The importance of the ritual is in providing a social gathering to help the bereaved begin the healing process.

At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist in making funeral arrangements. This can mean making many decisions at a very difficult and emotional time. Funeral directors are there to offer help and guidance during one of life’s most difficult times, but there are things you can do to help yourself:

1. Be an informed consumer. Don’t be reluctant to ask questions.
2. Today there is a variety of options to meet your financial needs and wishes. Be sure to discuss all available options before making a decision.
3. When selecting a funeral director, choose one who is licensed and has a good reputation in the community. NFDA’s member directory is a good place to start.
4. Be prepared! Avoid the burden of making decisions while under emotional stress by organizing details with your funeral director ahead of time. Remember…preplanning doesn’t necessarily mean prepaying.

Plan a personalized ceremony or service to help you begin the healing process. Getting through grief is never easy but having a meaningful funeral or tribute will help.

The average person may find themselves planning a funeral only once or twice in their entire lifetime. It is perfectly normal to feel a sense of apprehension, uncertainty or even outright fear of this process. Complicating these feelings is the fact that you are probably completing this task at time of great sadness; someone you love has died.

Your NFDA funeral director understands your concerns. They are experts at planning a funeral and are your resource for all information you may need regarding funeral services and related merchandise and are committed to providing compassionate assistance during this difficult time.

Your funeral director will give you complete information and education regarding all of your options so you can make an informed decision as to which arrangements will best suit your needs, your budget and the life of your loved one.

Thinking about your own funeral leaves most people feeling a little uneasy, but more adults are finding that pre-planning a funeral offers great emotional and even financial security for them and their families. With pre-planning, families find comfort in knowing that the funeral reflects what their loved one wanted. It also gives them peace of mind to not have to make important decisions at a stressful time.

If you are considering pre-arranging a funeral, you should contact a funeral home in your community. A funeral director can walk you through the pre-arrangement process.

Once you’ve made those pre-arrangements, keep a copy of the plan and any pertinent paperwork in a safe place. Also, inform a close friend or relative what arrangements have been made and where the information may be found.