Imagine hearing the most devastating news… Having to go through the loss of a loved one. It can be traumatic and a very difficult time for the whole family. Nonetheless, you as the event planner, who will be organizing the whole funeral have to buckle up and be strong; though not easy, you will come through this. The passing away of someone, which can be very sad and leave many of us in pain, with a large void, is also a means of celebrating the deceased person’s life and carrying them in our hearts and memories. Planning a funeral comes with little to no stress. With the right decisions made, everything should go according to plan.
#1. Knowing your role
Your personal participation in the funeral will help console others with their grieving and comfort family members. Nevertheless, do not forget you are also playing the role as an event planner; hence, you will need to be assigning duties that others will be carrying out on the day of the funeral, such as;
- Choosing the song for the funeral service
- Someone to be the Pallbearer
- Someone in charge of putting together some favorite pictures of the deceased. etc.
#2. Getting people on board
You can’t say you are going to be able to handle this all by yourself. Being independent is a significant attribute; however, you will still need help from others every now and then. In times like this, you will need to get others involved in organizing the funeral with you. Things will become easier with them around, giving you the time to attend to other things.
- Coffin Bearers – The coffin bearers have the role of carrying the coffin to the church service and cemetery. A minimum number of either four to eight people are required to carry the coffin.
- Grave Diggers – For those having a burial after the funeral service, you will need to hire grave digger/s to be able to dig up the ground.
#3. Important tasks to perform
Before the day of the funeral, you will need to get some of these things done, taking them accordingly.
- Acquire A Medical Certificate – A signed certificate needs to be issued by a doctor or medical personnel, which details out the cause of death. This is important as it will be needed when registering the death of the deceased or submitting the body at a crematorium.
- Register The Death of The Deceased – Without registering the death of the deceased, a day can never be set for the funeral. It is normally required to register the death of an individual at least within five days after he/she has passed away. Some documents like a driver’s license, birth certificate, and other vital paperwork will be needed.
- Securing The Body Before The Funeral – The body of the deceased needs to be kept in a cool refrigerated place, a crematorium most preferably. While the funeral arrangements are going on, the body will be taken care of and kept in good condition.
- Get A Coffin – You can get a coffin from most funeral home or they are also carpentering companies with some specializing only in coffin making.
- Transportation – A car will be needed to transport the coffin to the Mosque or any other place where the funeral service will be held and graveyard, as well as carry close family members and friends to ride along with the coffin.
- Flowers For Decorations – Flowers will be needed to use as tributes and donations; also to decorate the coffin and use for display at the funeral site and/or church service.
- Finding The Right Venue – Depending on where you will be holding the funeral, whether at a hall, church, chapel, mosque, etc, you will need to communicate effectively with the minister/imam/pastor who will be officiating the funeral, the cemetery or crematorium so as to be in coordination when setting a date and time for the funeral service
#4. Written special request that should be carried out
Check to see if there is any proposal or any special request the deceased had wanted to be carried out at his/her funeral. Do your best to see if you can make it possible.
#5. Informing guests about the funeral service
After the arrangements have been done and everything set in place, contact friends, family, loved ones and colleagues to tell them about the passing away of the deceased and funeral date. Inform them about the service and the date, time and any other important detail that needs to be disclosed.
#6. On the day
Try to keep yourself together that day, as hard as it may be. You need to stay strong for your family members and also for yourself. Schedule the funeral to go as scheduled; plan out what needs to be done during the service and the amount of time needed to do it. If there will be any reception or refreshments after the funeral, inform the guests about it earlier or before the end of the service.
It must be sad having to plan the funeral, whether or not you know/knew the person. Celebrate their life by honoring them with this funeral in such a way they will be smiling wherever they may be. Our deepest condolence to the family.