When a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends are often confronted with dozens of decisions about the funeral-all of which must be made quickly and oftenunder great emotional duress. What kind of funeral should it be?

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What funeral provider should you use? Should you bury or cremate the body, or donate it to science? What are you legally required to buy? What other arrangements should you plan?

And, as callous as it may sound, how much is it all going to cost? Each year, Americans grapple with these and many other questions asthey spend billions of dollars arrang-ing more than two million funerals for family members and friends. The increasing trend toward pre-need planning when people make funeral arrangements in advance suggest that many customers want to compare prices and services so that ultimately, the funeral reflects a wise and well-informed purchasing decision, as well as a meaningful one.

There are two stages toarranging a funeral. In the first stage,work with your local funeral directorto explore the options. Once you’vemade your choices and arranged theceremony, the second step is to arrange the financing.

Planning a Funeral Ceremony

1. Determine the type of service. Large or small ceremony, traditional ceremony or creative expression -- today, many families plan funerals that reflect the contributions and accomplishments of the deceased.

2. Determine the final resting place. Do you want a cemetery plot? Mausoleum? Do you want to be cremated? If you choose cremation, what do you want done with your ashes?

Weighing the options in advance is better than making a rushed decision on this personal topic. What best fits your lifestyle and feelings?

With the help of your family owned funeral homes funeral director and cemetery counselor, you can create a funeral that will be a personal and dignified tribute.