3 Ideas for Organizing a Funeral for an Out-of-Town Loved One
Losing a loved one who lived in a distant location is never easy. When you add on the fact that you’re grieving, it’s common to be unsure of how to even start planning a funeral. Fortunately, funeral homes offer services that can help you plan a respectful ceremony for your loved one while also making other necessary arrangements. Use the 3 ideas below for organizing a funeral for an out-of-town loved one.
1- Work With a Local Funeral Home
Depending on where your loved one lived, you may choose to have them laid to rest near their home. Or, you might need to bring a traveling loved one back to their hometown for their final resting place. Either way, reaching out to a local funeral home can help you begin making the proper arrangements. Experienced funeral planners know how to arrange for transportation services, file the required paperwork, and take other essential steps that you’ll encounter along the way. You can also rely on your funeral planner to assist with choosing an appropriate facility to hold the funeral in, along with where to find local florists and other service providers.
2- Start Planning As Early As Possible
The first thing you’ll need to know is that arranging for an out-of-town funeral can take extra time. For instance, you may need to make phone calls or attend virtual meetings with funeral planners in your loved one’s hometown. You’ll also need to provide extended family and friends with enough time to make travel arrangements. As soon as you know about the loss, begin taking actions that help move the process along faster. While it might be hard to make decisions during your time of grief, it will also help to alleviate your burden as you begin establishing plans for the ceremony. Sometimes, making practical decisions gives you a sense of control during an overwhelming loss.
3- Consider Alternative Types of Ceremonies
If you plan to hold a traditional funeral, then you’ll want to notify family members and other attendees as soon as you know the details. Be prepared to assist with finding local accommodations, such as hotels and flights, for people who are flying in from out of town. To make things easier, you can opt to allow virtual viewing of the ceremony. This option works best for families with loved ones who may not be able to travel due to their health or other circumstances. Many families are also opting to hold celebrations of life for loved ones who chose cremation or terramation. These options are often preferred by out-of-town families who can use the extra time to plan a respectful ceremony. Choosing cremation is an option that can allow you to hold the ceremony at a location where the majority of the bereaved can attend.
As you begin organizing the funeral, it’s also common for people to begin thinking about how their family may handle their arrangements in the future. Once you move through your grief, consider pre-planning for potential contingencies. Knowing that you have travel protection or a pre-planned service in place gives you peace of mind as you move into the future.
