Last year, I realized that a few of our employees did not have the best intentions when they came to work. It seemed like their goal was to slack off and avoid work, and it was really frustrating. I realized that I had to do something in order to make things right, so I started working with them to train them. I also installed a camera system and explained the consequences of their actions. Within about six months, we were able to completely overhaul things, and it made a huge difference. This blog is all about keeping employees productive and on track, so that you can keep your company viable.
Grace Hanson
Choosing a good funeral home is one of the most important parts of planning a funeral—whether it be yours or your loved one's. However, you probably haven't spent a lot of time thinking about how funeral homes differ from one another. So before finalizing any funeral plans, speak to the funeral director about these things to make sure you're choosing the correct funeral home.
Traditional Funeral Services
Most funeral homes offer some type of traditional funeral service. Typically, either the funeral director or an assistant helps those planning a traditional service through the entire planning process. In most cases, you'll need to choose and purchase a casket, look at the size of the funeral home's rooms to make sure you're choosing one large enough for your family and friends, and pick out the flowers you wish to use. Additionally, those planning a traditional funeral service need to discuss:
Some funeral homes offer all of these services, and some only offer a select few. But it's important to know all of these details beforehand in case you need to do something such as hire a transportation service in advance.
Cremation
If you are planning to be cremated after death, or you're planning a service for a loved one who wants to be cremated, you need to make sure you choose a funeral home that offers cremation services—not all funeral homes have the equipment needed for cremation. Some funeral homes offer cremation services, but they don't actually handle the cremation onsite. Instead, cremation is handled at another facility.
It's important to ask where the cremation is handled before finalizing the preparations, because if the funeral home uses an off site service there may be additional fees. In addition to making sure the funeral home handles cremations, you need to discuss:
Whether or not a traditional funeral service should be held before cremation: If so, you should make sure there are caskets at the funeral home that can be rented for the service.
What type of additional paperwork is needed before someone can be cremated: The requirements vary from state to state. If specific paperwork is needed, you need to know if it's handled by the funeral director or if you need to hire a probate lawyer.
Whether you want the urn buried in a cemetery after cremation: Urns that are buried in cemeteries are often placed in specific containers before the burial—you should ask whether the container is an additional cost or provided by the funeral home. Also, some cemeteries have requirements for burying urns, so you'd need to make sure you meet all of the requirements for the chosen cemetery.
Planning a funeral requires a lot of thought, and it's often an emotional process. However, if you take the time to choose a funeral home that offers all of the services you need and that you feel comfortable with, the process isn't as stressful. For more assistance, contact companies like Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd.