When you consider all the things that must be arranged for a loved one's funeral, it can be rather overwhelming. So many things need to be in place to give your loved one the best possible farewell, and you need to be sure that everyone who wishes to be there has the opportunity to do so. What can you do to help your loved one's family and friends be there to pay their final respects?
Choosing the Date
Unless your loved one's religion requires burial or cremation within a specific timeframe, you don't necessarily have to hold the service immediately. Even if your loved one was not embalmed, their remains can be held in cold storage for an extended period of time, and funeral directors are very accommodating on this front. This allows more than enough time for family and friends to be informed and to make travel arrangements for the service.
Air Travel
When you have chosen a date and venue (the funeral director can assist with this, and it might be easiest to have it at the funeral home's chapel), you need to consider those who might not be able to so easily make their own travel arrangements. Elderly family and friends will certainly want to be there too, but they could need assistance. Check whether any airlines flying to your city offer bereavement airfares, intended to permit affordable travel to funerals. These are specially priced tickets that allow for last-minute travel without the significant cost traditionally involved with such flights. They're not always displayed for online bookings, so you need to telephone the airline's call centre to get the price for bereavement airfare. You should cross reference all other available flights, as a discount airline might offer a price that's better than the bereavement fare, regardless of the last-minute nature of the travel.
Travelling by Road
Land-based travel can also be explored. Although some elderly family and friends might not be able to cope with a long bus ride, this can be an affordable option for moderate distances. You should also check your carpool options. Is there anyone travelling from a specific city and intending to drive? If so, would they be able to offer a ride to someone else from the same city? You won't know unless you ask, and it's an effective way to make sure everyone has the opportunity to attend the service.
Most mourners will be able to make their own arrangements to get to the funeral, but it's helpful to know your options to help those who might have difficulty making the necessary travel plans. Contact funeral directors in your area for additional advice.
Share28 January 2020
Hello. If you are in the process of planning a funeral, you have come to the right place. While no one likes the idea of having to plan their own or a family member's funeral, death is something which no one can escape. By learning all you can about this subject now, you can make informed decisions about how you want your or a family member's send off from this world to be organised and paid for. We aren't pros but we are passionate about this subject. Read on to find out more about the process of planning a funeral.
