Choosing a funeral home is one of the hardest, most rewarding steps you’ll take in the arrangement process. While it can be difficult to do while grieving, the peace of mind that the right funeral home can bring to the situation is unmatched. Once chosen, your home will walk you through all of the legal and social steps associated with the process of putting your loved one to rest, supporting you as you navigate each process.

Below, we’ve offered eight helpful steps to consider as you finalize your funeral home selection — helping you to select the best provider for your current scope of need. Read on to learn more.

1. Learn About Your Rights

As you search for your funeral home, you might find it comforting to know that consumer protection laws cover funeral home services, offering support you’d expect when you purchase other services. There are also rights set forth by the Federal Trade Commission that specifically outline how funeral homes must treat you as a customer.

For example: Funeral directors must give you pricing information over the phone. They must also present an itemized price list when you visit in person. A funeral home can’t refuse to handle a casket you purchased from a different provider. They must disclose this on their price list.

2. Communicate With Loved Ones

Openly discussing the details of the arrangements with family members can make the selection process easier, as they’ll be able to support you as you make your final decisions. Additionally, if your loved one was involved in pre-planning their own funeral, it would be respectful to honor their wishes as much as possible. Their wishes can also offer you insight into what they would have wanted for themselves, possibly simplifying your decision-making steps.

3. Make a List of Priorities

Choosing a funeral home can be a difficult process. It’s helpful to make a list of priorities to make it easier for you to know exactly what you need from a funeral home. While one’s priorities are uniquely individual, common priorities to include on the list are:

4. Choose Appropriate Arrangements

Before you make any final decisions about your funeral home of choice, it can be important to consider what kind of arrangements you would prefer. For example: Do you plan to have the loved one buried or cremated?

Other questions to answer during this phase include:

  • If you’d like a viewing or visitation for your loved one
  • Where the memorial services will be held
  • If the memorial services will be religious or secular

Writing down what you want can help guide you when speaking with the funeral home about your options. .

5. Research and Compare Funeral Homes

Most areas offer you the benefit of options. We’d like to encourage you to take the time to do the research you need to feel fully comfortable in your decision. If you’re not sure where to start, you might consider using review sites, such as Yelp, to find reviews and ratings from other families who have used their services.

6. Contact the Funeral Homes You’ve Chosen

Once you’ve made your list of prospective funeral home locations, you can start making some phone calls to get your questions answered. This process offers you direct insight into your possible client experience with each option, and is a critical step to take as you choose a funeral home.

Beyond discussing basic information about funeral arrangements, you can ask detailed questions to learn more about each location’s unique processes and policies. You also have the right to ask about their history, staff experience and training, and other qualifications — just like you would in any other business interaction.

7. Visit Each Funeral Home

After you narrow down your list of prospects to your top three locations, we recommend scheduling a tour with each option. Visiting in person allows you to get a true feel for the environment of each home, simplifying your decision.

While you’re there, we recommend asking for the general price list. This will help you to ensure that you have complete transparency and awareness about the total price you’ll pay for services.

8. Making Your Decision

It’s never easy making difficult decisions like this during a time of loss. We recommend taking all the time you need to comfortably work through the process, bringing along a friend or someone you trust to support you as you go. Sometimes having an objective perspective and another set of ears present makes it easier.

FAQs

Common questions to ask a funeral director include: “What types of funeral packages do you have available?”, “Can the service be customized based on cultural, religious, or personal preferences? How would you accommodate this?”, and “Do you have experience filing for death benefits?”.

As you learn how to choose a funeral home, remember that there are no wrong questions. Don’t be afraid to ask specific queries that will give you the most reassurance that you’ve made the right decision.

An average funeral costs $6,000+, depending on the complexity and range of services included, and the regional area you’re having the funeral in. Before finalizing arrangements, we recommend speaking with a financial specialist at whatever funeral home you choose to ensure you’re fully aware of any financial obligations involved.

Funeral homes ease some of the stress of the legal and logistical processes associated with death, allowing you the space and support needed to process your emotions and honor your loved one as you lay them to rest.

Lean on Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks Funeral for A Memorable Farewell

Making the final arrangements for someone you love can feel overwhelming. However, you don’t have to do it alone. Having compassionate and experienced professionals can certainly lighten the burden.

At Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks Funeral Home, we recognize the importance of a final farewell. We are here to advise you and take on the responsibility of arranging a peaceful farewell while you and your family stand together in love and memories. Connect with us today to learn more.