Losing someone you love, whatever the circumstances, can be a highly stressful and emotional experience. Having a good funeral director can be a massive help, both in terms of making all the practical arrangements and also providing reassurance and some measure of calm in what can otherwise be a very overwhelming time.
A funeral home is the physical premises that the firm of undertakers work out from, and also provides a resting place for the deceased until the funeral takes place.
What does a funeral director do
A funeral director's role usually starts with the removal of the dead body from someone's house or nursing home, which they will then keep in storage at their premises until the day of the funeral. Many funeral homes will have private chapels where private viewings can be held; a key element in helping to heal and grieve.
A funeral home will employ morticians who will clean and prepare the deceased prior to any viewing. A funeral director will help with all the legal and administrative requirements concerning the funeral, as well as helping the family decide whether they would like a burial or cremation if that has not already been agreed-upon.
A big part of the role of a funeral director is to help to organise practicalities around any type of service that is going to be held, often liaising with local clergy and ministers, and talking through with the deceased's family any special requests they may have.
How to choose a funeral home
Many undertakers are family firms, often going back several generations. They have typically been part of their community for years and are normally very proud of the contribution they make to the area where they are based. This means that many people will often know who their local undertaker is and will automatically decide to use them.
If someone is unsure which firm of undertakers to use, then it is often a good idea to talk to a local priest or minister who will know the various local funeral homes and will normally be able to recommend one.
A firm of funeral directors should be both efficient, practical and emotionally supportive to the family and friends of the deceased. They should be upfront at the outset about fees and costs, which can be significant, and should always be sensitive to the needs and requests of the family. Funeral costs can vary widely, which can be an issue if there is no funeral insurance in place.
The whole process of arranging a funeral happens relatively quickly, but at no stage should the family feel pressured by a funeral director or anyone else into making arrangements that they are not totally comfortable with.
Most funeral homes will be licensed, normally by a local council, and should belong to one of the various state or national funeral directors associations who will have specific codes of conduct. This is unlikely to be much of an issue initially, but it could become important if the work of the firm of undertakers falls short, and the family feels the need to make a formal complaint or take further action.
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