Page 9 - Butler Hughes FH
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television show with funeral scenes life of the deceased
may naturally prompt the discussion • Allow friends and family to say their
with your own loved ones. Talk about last good-byes
what you liked or didn’t like about the • Provide closure after the loss of a
services you saw or attended. loved one
• Tell your children or loved ones that • Allow friends to console the family of
because you care for them so much, the loved one
you don’t want to burden them with
difficult decisions when you’re gone. So what is a funeral? In general terms, a
Tell them you’ve made your own funeral is a gathering of family and friends
final arrangements, and give them a after the death of a loved one that allows
written record of what they are. them the opportunity to mourn, support
• Make your funeral and cemetery plans each other and pay tribute to the life of
with us and then wrap a copy of your the deceased. It often consists of one or
contract and wishes in a gift box, and more of the following components:
present it to your children.
• Make it a family affair. Schedule an Burial Plans
appointment with your chosen funeral
home or cemetery provider and invite When considering final arrangements for
your children along to participate yourself or a loved one, one of the first
in the selection of services, funeral decisions you might make is whether
merchandise and cemetery property. you prefer burial or cremation. This
decision often influences other important
Whether you’re sharing plans for your considerations, such as elements of the
own final arrangements with loved ones, funeral service and type of cemetery
or encouraging loved ones to make and property.
share their plans with you, the conversation
about planning ahead is an important one
that every family should have. While no Funeral Service
one wants to think about their death or the A formal or informal ceremony or ritual
death of a loved one any sooner than they prior to burial, a funeral service often
must, having the conversation in advance provides a sense of closure to family and
alleviates the need for potentially more friends. Although your faith or culture
unpleasant or difficult conversations in may dictate some elements of a funeral
the future. service, you may want to personalize
other elements of the service. At a funeral
Funeral Arrangements service, a casket or urn is present, though
you may choose to have the casket open
Whether you’re planning for yourself or or closed.
for a loved one, the funeral service is
one of the most important elements of Held the night before or immediately prior
a person’s final arrangements. With the to the funeral service, the visitation - also
opportunity for great personalization, called a wake or a viewing - provides a
the funeral service can truly reflect the way for friends and acquaintances to pay
uniqueness of the life it honors. respects and offer condolences to your
family. As with the funeral service, you
Regardless of whether you or your loved may want to decide if you want an open
one have opted for burial or for cremation, or closed casket should one be present.
the funeral or memorial service fills an
important role. It can:
• Honor, recognize and celebrate the
Butler-Hughes Funeral Home, Inc. - Page 9
