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Choosing the right funeral director is a vital part of the funeral arrangement process. A good funeral director can assist you in the preparation of your funeral service, ensuring you get the funeral of your choice. Many people know what kind of service they want, but are unsure of how to bring it all together. This is an area where a funeral director can be of immense help. They have the experience and the knowledge of how to bring it all together.
Before approaching a funeral director, it is best to have a good idea of what you want. Decide on how involved you want family or friends to be, whether or not you'll have a traditional burial or cremation. Having a good basic idea of the type of service you desire can save time and money in planning a funeral. Ask friends or family for recommendations as well. You'll want a funeral director with a good reputation and track record. Quality of service is very important, and the occasion will be stressful enough without having to deal with a shifty or incompetent director.
Consider how involved family or friends want to be, as this might influence your choice. If you desire a ceremony outside the norm with a lot of participation from relatives and associates, a traditional funeral director may not be for you. For example, if you’d like to have an outdoor ceremony in natural woodlands, or a burial on privately owned property, a traditional director may have no experience or knowledge of how to arrange such a ceremony.
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When talking to a funeral director, be aware of how receptive they are to your ideas. If you notice their attention drifting, or see them frowning, you’ll know they’re not the right funeral director for you. Pay attention to how attentive or accommodating they are when discussing the financial aspects of your service as well, whether or not they’re willing to quote you for exactly what you want, or if they’d rather give you a price for a package.
It is especially important to gather quotes from various funeral directors, especially if they are unknown to you or not recommended by family and friends. Even if they do come highly recommended, it is best to shop around to compare costs. Remember the person or persons who recommended them probably went through a similar process, and may have overlooked a potential gem. Statistics have shown that over 90% of people go with the first funeral director they speak with. This is in part to get the somewhat unpleasant business over with, but it is best to speak with several. If you find the process distasteful, you could consider using a funeral advisory service, but again that will increase your costs. Usually there is a family member or friend who would be willing to take over from you.
You will notice that the quotes you get are varied, some by almost 505. It is hard to know what a funeral director might charge for specific services. Many people fall into the trap of spending beyond their means, thinking that the more they spend will reflect a greater respect for the deceased. Don’t fall into that trap, avoiding any embarrassment you might feel because of being frugal will be far overshadowed by that you may experience when you can’t afford to pay the bills.
Though cost and quality of service are of paramount importance, there are other things to take into consideration when deciding on a funeral director.