An appropriate method to recognise, celebrate, and honour the life of a loved one who has passed away is through a funeral service, also known as a memorial service or a celebration of life. A funeral can ease the pain of the bereaved and unite people in sharing the joy of having known the deceased and the grief of their loss.
Life can be honoured in several ways, which can be personalized for the person and their family. You might wonder what kind of service to hold if a loved one has passed away. It would be helpful to know the distinction between a typical funeral and a memorial ceremony. Alternatively, you could like to plan your funeral ahead of time to lessen the strain on your loved ones and to make sure it accurately captures your unique life. If you are looking for the cheapest funeral services in Singapore, feel free to contact Singapore Bereavement Planners. They provide the best service according to your budget. Here in this post, we discuss funeral service.
The Function & Features of a Funeral
Burying someone in their last resting place is the main objective of a funeral. A funeral service also serves the function of honouring and preserving the memory of the deceased with dignity. The funeral ceremony enables the grieving family and the surrounding community to come together to express their sorrow and share memories. Several family members frequently take part in choosing the final burial site and the sort of funeral service during a time of bereavement. The decision-making processes and/or complexity associated with the time of need may be reduced to the extent that a deceased person documents or pre-plans for their burial. The individual’s preferences, traditions, and beliefs are a few factors to consider when pre-planning or preparing a funeral ceremony.
Funeral Service Types
There are several types of cremation services available. These are,
- Traditional Chapel Funeral Service
- Graveside Funeral Service
- Private Family Funeral
- Funeral Mass
- Religious Funeral Service
- Secular Service
- Celebration of Life
The deceased’s religion, culture, and traditions, as well as those of their immediate family and extended family, are the key determinants of the sort of funeral. Religious funeral services are conducted by clergy and adhere to a set order of ceremony based on the doctrine of the respective religion. A funeral mass is part of Catholic funerals. Jewish rituals may involve the ChevraKadisha ritually preparing the deceased for burial. And Islamic services adhere to Sharia law. A funeral celebrant conducts secular funeral rites, which may be more individualised. Because there is no set order of service for secular services, a wider range of readings, eulogies, and memories can be offered.
Funeral expenses
Several elements and expenses, such as the Professional Service Fee, Casket, Vault, and Cash Advance Items, are used to calculate the price of the funeral and funeral service. This is a distinct expense from the cemetery fees, which cover the gravesite and the committal service. The funeral director’s professional service fee may cover items like the conference to discuss the arrangements for the funeral, the submission of required documents to the state and federal governments, the publication of obituary notices in print and online media, and coordination with clergy, vendors, and cemeteries.
Before the funeral and burial process, the deceased person is placed in a rectangular burial container known as a casket. This container is commonly made of wood, metal, fibreglass, or plastic. Buying a casket is possible from any third party or directly from the funeral director. A funeral director must let a third party provide a coffin; refusing to do so is against the law.
Although there are unmistakable definitional differences, many people continually use the terms “casket” and “coffin” interchangeably. Coffins became obsolete as caskets took their place over time. The Vault is a sealed, lined container that is positioned around a casket to keep the grave from sinking and to shield the casket from its surroundings. An alternative is to employ an outer burial container, which is a sealed but unreinforced concrete container. Sometimes the cemetery will provide the vault, also known as the exterior burial container.
Obtaining Cash Items like death certificates, clergy honoraria, and newspaper notices are all funeral-related expenses, but they are not expenses specific to funeral directors. There are numerous different service professionals, such as funeral directors, as is typical in many sectors. While some are freelance funeral directors, the majority work for a funeral home.
Informational Supplements Regarding Funerals
The funeral industry as a whole, the different types of funerals, and the accompanying services have changed over many decades. Funeral directors who work for funeral homes and independent funeral directors have different roles. Funeral chapels, gathering areas, and viewing rooms are frequently found in full-service funeral homes and are intended to house mourners before and during funeral rituals. Additionally, some contemporary funeral homes may provide post-service amenities for luncheons or meals of sympathy. In contrast, independent funeral directors have the option of renting space within another funeral home or subcontracting out the preparation work. Full-service funeral homes may charge more for professional services since their fixed overhead expenses are higher. Independent funeral homes may charge less, on the other hand. Funerals may now include post-service amenities, sometimes known as after-care services, like banquet halls, luncheons, and fully catered wakes.
How to Plan a Funeral on a Limited budget
If you’re wondering how simple it is to plan a low-cost funeral, look no further. We’ve provided some advice to assist you in organising a low-cost funeral that nevertheless maintains the same level of respectability as any full-service traditional funeral.
Do some local research on funeral prices.
The price of a funeral at a different funeral home or crematory might vary greatly. Knowing the factors that affect funeral prices in your location is the first step you need to take to prepare for preparing a budget funeral. Make sure your comparisons of funeral services and packages are like for like. It helps that more funeral establishments are beginning to post funeral expenses on their websites. However, be wary of funeral houses that claim to offer a price comparison for funerals in your area on their websites. Frequently, these funeral homes may have compared themselves to only more expensive funeral homes.
Make a funeral or cremation budget and follow it.
Setting a budget and making an effort to keep to it are the greatest moves to do if you don’t want to overspend on a funeral. Never let a funeral home bully you into paying for extra items or services that you don’t need. The entire expense can be reduced if your funeral plan is kept straightforward. Go to the funeral home with a friend or associate, or have someone negotiate on your behalf based on your needs and your budget. When you are not directly invested, it is much simpler to be objective!
Look into your options for assistance with funeral costs.
More families today are looking for financial support when planning cheap funeral packages. Depending on the state/county and your unique circumstances, there is only limited support available. In addition to life insurance, monies from the estate of the deceased and charitable assistance, some unions and businesses also provide death benefits.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to keep in mind that funerals are oftentimes for the living. The funeral ritual is an important custom that helps us commemorate the memory of our loved ones and cope with their passing. It is a “gathering” to say goodbye and reminisce. Nobody has the right to tell you how to grieve or how to honour your loved one. In reality, taking charge and organising your memorial services is the ideal approach to commemorate and pay respect to your loved one while keeping costs under control.