Choices You May Face When Making Funeral Arrangements

Some of us are less than familiar with the world of funeral arrangements. And when the time comes, that lack of familiarity can be troublesome. Where does one begin? What kind of decisions will we have to make? These and other questions can make planning a funeral somewhat difficult. If you or someone you know is looking for funeral homes in or near Martinsville, IN, you should find some solace in the fact that there are professionals in your area who can make this process much easier. You may wish to reach out to a funeral director at your earliest convenience in a bid to become more familiar with funerals and what may be expected of you. That can help. In the meantime, it is certainly worth thinking about some of the decisions you may confront. 

First, you will likely need to make a very basic decision when it comes to whether the deceased should be buried or cremated. Note that cremations are now every bit as common as burial in the United States. They have become increasingly popular, but many families still prefer burial, as well. There is really no right or wrong answer to this question. Much depends on any last wishes the deceased may have left or any other instructions he or she may have provided before passing away. Those preferences should be honored whenever possible. 

Second, you should think about what kind of service you wish to hold. This may impact other decisions you’ll need to make. There are certainly a range of options, including traditional funerals (often held at something like a chapel or funeral home), graveside services, or memorial services. Note that funerals generally take place just days after someone has passed whereas memorial services may occur several weeks later. If you wish to hold a funeral service, you should also think about whether the body of the deceased should be present and available for viewing. 

Third, it will be important to consider things like caskets and urns (depending upon whether the deceased will be buried or cremated). There are a range of options when it comes to caskets. Much depends upon the family’s preferences and budget. Some caskets are quite fancy and ornate. Others are more straightforward. Similarly, cremated remains will need to be placed in some kind of container, if only temporarily. If you plan to leave the remains in said container and place them on display (e.g. in your home), then you probably want that container to be fairly dignified. If you instead plan to scatter the remains or pursue another option, the nature of the container itself may be less important to you. 

Most of us will face decisions like these sooner or later. They aren’t always easy to make, so it is important that you begin thinking about them. If you are interested in funeral homes in the Martinsville, IN, area, consider reaching out to Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. We do our very best to treat you and your family the right way during your time of need. You can visit us at 39 E High St, Mooresville, IN 46158 or place a phone call to (317) 831-2080.