There are a few pre-need life insurances or memorial service that you can avail. For example, Climbs-Cosmopolitan Life and General Insurance offer a comprehensive memorial or funeral service. This way, you will be able to plan your funeral ahead taking away the burden from your family in choosing the funeral service, the kind of casket you want, and the upfront expenses during your funeral. By planning ahead, you are saving your family from the cost and peace of mind.
Oftentimes, death comes in the least expected time. Nobody has ever been ready for it. Since it is inevitable, we can plan ahead as to what we would like to happen during our funeral. Some people are superstitious about planning their funeral while you are still healthy and able but it is actually the most practical and the last thing that you can do for your family when the day comes.
Location. Do you want your viewing service or wake be at home, funeral chapel or a mortuary near your home? If it is at a funeral chapel or mortuary, you need to consider the commute of your family from home. Is it more convenient to be held in other places than your home?
The number of days of the wake or viewing service. How many days would you like the wake or viewing service to be? Usually, in the Philippines, the viewing service is 3 to 7 days or longer especially when there is a family member who resides abroad.
Food. In the Philippines, food and drinks are served to the guests. As the funeral service is 24/7, guests can come anytime to offer their condolences. There is always food and drink for them.
The Eulogy. Would your family like to have a eulogy or not? It is becoming popular to have a eulogy the night before the interment day or the last night of the wake. Although eulogy can be done anytime. Your funeral service provider can help you with the arrangements and provide you with some equipment such as extra chairs or table, microphone, sound system, and a multimedia projector. This is beautiful but at the same emotionally overwhelming for the family as it is the last time all the family and friends are gathered together to reminisce the happy memories together.
Mass and/or prayer for the dead (novena). For Catholics, prayer for the dead (novena) starts on the day one has passed away. After the burial or cremation, the 40 days prayer kicks in. During the wake, some families prefer to have a mass every night after the novena.
Transportation. Although it is a custom in the Philippines that people walk from church (mortuary or home) to the cemetery, you need to consider the distance. The funeral service will provide the hearse (or funeral vehicle). Do you need to rent additional transportation for your family and friends?
Music. It is unusual but you can prepare songs for your funeral. Or, would you rather have the good old “Amazing Grace”? You can choose your favorite songs. Pretty sure your family and friends will enjoy and celebrate your life for the last time.
Your pre-need life or memorial plan comes with a free casket. You can choose what kind of casket would you like to have. If you prefer to be cremated, the cremation package comes with free urn as well. Imagining your own funeral can be scary, however, this is the only way to help your family when the day comes so they can focus on moving forward.
Assign somebody in the family to be the point person. This person will be responsible to delegate the tasks and communicate with the funeral service. It is important to have a point person so there will be a smooth flow of the activities, communication and any other transactions making sure that everything has been taken cared of.
Three days before the interment or cremation day, the point person must finalize all the arrangements and coordinate with the funeral service provider. Are the legal documents ready? It is also the best time to plan for the route going to the church or the cemetery so you will have assistance from the local government and traffic enforcers if you chose to be buried.
Two days before the interment or cremation day, touch base with your funeral service or if you have an organizer regarding the flowers, music, the color of the shirt, people who would carry the casket, food, and snack.
On the day of interment or cremation, most often the funeral service will lead the event. They only need to know who the point person(s) to relay what is needed to be done.
A well-planned funeral service helps your family from making difficult decisions let alone the budget. Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, for example, has partnered with Climbs Life and General Insurance for you to be able to plan your funeral ahead. Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes will take care of everything from picking up the body from the hospital or home, viewing equipment, processing of the legal documents, up to the burial day itself. All you have to do is to choose the right package for yourself and let them handle the rest.
Photo credits Freepik
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