How to plan a funeral and burial

How to plan a funeral and burial

Planning a funeral can be a difficult process. There are a lot of decisions to make and it can be hard to know where to start. This guide will walk you through the process of planning a funeral and will help you make the decisions that are right for you and your loved ones.

Chase and District Memorial chapel peaceful send off

Choose the type of funeral services you would like

Do you want a traditional funeral with a viewing or a funeral service? Or do you want a more modern approach with a cremation followed by a memorial service? Perhaps you want something in between, like a direct cremation with only the ashes present at the funeral service. There are a lot of possibilities.

The next step is selecting a funeral venue

It is important to take the time to select the right funeral venue. There are many factors to consider, such as the size of the venue, the location, and the type of funeral service you would like to have. The second step is to select a funeral venue that will meet your needs and provide the perfect setting for your loved one’s funeral. Chase & District Memorial Park is a beautiful place to lay your loved one to rest or scatter their ashes.

Chase and District Memorial chapel expansion

Decide what type of casket or urn you would like to use

There are many different options available, and the right choice for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget. Some common types of caskets include wood, metal, and fibreglass. Urns come in a wide range of materials, including glass, ceramic, metal, wood, and stone.

Having a viewing? Pick appropriate funeral clothing for the deceased

Remember that this is a final decision, so choose something that both honours the life of your loved one and brings you peace. If you are struggling to decide, consider consulting with a funeral director. They will be able to share their experience and help you select funeral clothing that is appropriate for the type of funeral service you are planning. With their guidance, you can choose funeral clothing that helps you say goodbye in a way that feels right for you.

Choose flowers, such as forget-me-not flowers, for funeral services

A funeral is a sombre event meant to commemorate the life of a lost loved one. As such, it is important to choose flowers that are appropriate for the occasion. While there are many beautiful flowers to choose from, forget-me-nots are an excellent option for funeral arrangements.

Select suitable music for funeral service

Music has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, and this can be helpful when planning a funeral service. The songs you select should be reflective of the life of the person who has passed away, as well as the feelings of those who are grieving. Choose music that will help create a meaningful and memorable funeral service.

Get a physicist to speak at the funeral or choose a family member or close friend

It is a tradition in many cultures to have a close friend or family member deliver a eulogy at a funeral. It is important to choose someone who can speak confidently and professionally about the deceased. The goal should be to provide comfort and support to those who are grieving while also honouring the memory of the deceased. The decision of who will speak at a funeral should be made with care and thoughtfulness. 

If you can’t find anyone to choose, get a physicist. A physicist will talk about how one’s energy never really ceases to exist, providing comfort to those left behind.

Plan the catering and refreshments for the after-funeral service gathering

After the funeral service is over, it is customary to have a gathering for family and friends. This gives everyone a chance to share memories, offer support to each other, and begin the grieving process. As the host of the gathering, you will need to plan the catering and refreshments. Finger foods are typically best, as they do not require any utensils or plates. Tea and coffee are popular beverage choices. If you are unsure of what to serve, ask the funeral home for recommendations.

Funerals can be difficult to plan, but with the right resources and advice, it can be a little bit easier

By following the tips in this article, you will have taken care of most of the planning process and will be able to focus on saying goodbye to your loved one. If you need any help or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Chase & District.

Brand new 120-capacity memorial chapel in the heart of Burntwood.

We’re pleased to announce that the expansion of the chapel at Chase and District is complete – we’re now able to cater for 120 mourners in a memorial service, allowing you to create the right send-off for your loved one.

In just three weeks, the fantastic team behind our chapel have converted it from a 30-seater venue to a beautiful, spacious and light chapel, with space for 100 seats and around 20 standing.

The chapel can also be arranged for a more intimate, smaller service of up to 30 people, so whichever arrangement suits you best, we can cater for it.

A full range of services to help you say goodbye

The completion of our 120-capacity means we’re now able to offer a full range of services to help you say goodbye in the way you want, and have a place to return to as often as you like.

Our on-site crematorium was commissioned in the summer and is available for use, while our burial plots and cremated remain plots mean that your loved one can be laid to rest in a beautiful, tranquil spot, ideally located in Burntwood.

We’re also currently offering a limited number of burial plots and cremated remains plots in advance of need.

Whatever your needs, we’re here to help – give us a call on 01543 241 080, or email us at hello@chaseanddistrict.com and we’ll come back to you without delay.

How long do crematorium services last?

How long do crematorium services last?

Burials are traditionally preceded by funeral services. However, this is not necessarily the case with cremations. Many families choose to mourn the loss of a loved one in private, while some hold memorial services or wakes.

A traditional crematorium service usually last between 20 to 30 minutes, whereas a Catholic Church funeral mass takes 45 minutes. The time- period can be adjusted to meet client wishes. Funeral services also include the time it takes mourners to enter the crematorium and pay their final respects to the deceased.

The crematorium service procedure sees everyone gather outside the chapel. When the family is ready, the person leading the service and coffin pallbearers will enter the chapel, followed by the grieving family and attending mourners. The actual cremation takes place after everyone leaves the chapel.

Coping with a death in the family

The death of a loved one is a traumatic time in anyone’s life. It is an experience we all must endure at some stage, but it is not an event to face alone. That is why there are experts who make this a comforting and seamless transition.

There are several options when bidding your loved one a final farewell. Traditional funerals still take place, but as the world population grows and land space shrinks, alternatives to burials are growing in popularity.

A Humanist Funeral

A humanist funeral is a non-religious ceremony to bid farewell to and celebrate the life of the loved one. Humanist funerals usually follow the same structure as religious funerals, with eulogies, music and readings, but without following any particular faith. A humanist funeral is a fitting way to support families bidding farewell to someone who has lived without religion. These ceremonies focus on the life of the loved one, the relationships created, and the legacy left behind.

Other Funeral Alternatives

Direct cremations are becoming more popular as an affordable and no-frills alternative to a traditional funeral. Apart from being cost-effective, families can organise private memorial gatherings and request donations in lieu of flowers to the deceased’s favourite charity. A direct cremation eliminates a funeral ceremony and, instead of attending a chapel service, mourners can gather at a venue chosen by the family to celebrate the life of the deceased. With a direct cremation, the crematorium collects the deceased and conducts an immediate cremation without a service.

Ash scattering ceremonies is another alternative to a standard funeral. Families arrange for friends and relatives to meet at a place previously loved by the deceased whose ashes are then scattered in the area.

Tree planting ceremonies are also a popular alternative to a traditional funeral. Mourners feel that by mixing the ashes of the deceased with the soil used to plant the tree gives a life-form to the departed. Name plates are often also placed at the base of the tree.

Celebration of life gatherings – like the Irish wakes – are also gaining in popularity. Instead of a somber service, celebrants gather socially, often at a pub to play the deceased’s favourite music and to drink the deceased’s favourite tipple.

Funeral etiquette

There are several common-sense and acts of human decency that dictate funeral etiquette.

  • Switch your phone off. The intrusion of a phone call during a gathering to mourn a deceased is nothing short of bad manners.
  • Do not eat or drink during a funeral service. As ludicrous as this may sound, it does happen.
  • In the absence of a dress code, avoid wearing athletic gear such as tank tops and shorts. Also, do not wear footwear such as sneakers and flip-flops. Other no-nos are any items of bright clothing and jeans.

Ultra-modern crematorium

Many mourners are selecting to use the ultra-modern crematorium at Chase & District Memorial Park in the West Midlands. The crematorium features the latest technological advances and was completed in mid-2022. Families can lay their loved ones to rest at the Memorial Park or elect to have the ashes returned within 48 hours and proceed with their own memorial services or life celebration gatherings. The facility offers every type of funeral service, from the scattering of ashes to tree-planting memorials and burial plots. The Chase & District Memorial Park is a peaceful haven near the M6 Toll and the A452, close to the environmentally friendly Chasewater Country Park.

Chase & District Memorial Park also provides a modern and attractive chapel that can seat 35 people. There is a PA system and lectern, and the chapel is also used for crematorium services. Families can live stream the event to people in all corners of the globe.