7 Factors to Consider When Choosing Funeral Homeschoosing funeral homes

If you are looking for a funeral home for a loved one who passed away, you should know your options. Consider these factors when choosing funeral homes.

Are you searching for a funeral home for a loved one who has recently passed away? Or, maybe you’ve decided to settle on a funeral home for yourself long before it’s needed?

Choosing a funeral home can be a tough decision. And unfortunately, not all funeral homes are created equal. 

So, how do you decide?

Check out this guide to discover the top factors to consider when choosing funeral homes. 

1. Services 

Each funeral home offers different services, so it’s important to check with each funeral home to see what they offer. Oftentimes, you can find a list of a funeral home’s services on their website.

Here are some services to consider:

  • Facilities for a memorial service
  • Obituary writing services
  • Cremation/burial
  • Arranging musical requests
  • Taking care of floral arrangements 
  • Providing information to friends and family members
  • Dealing with paperwork for burial or cremation
  • Recording donations received
  • Arranging for staff and vehicles for funeral and burial services
  • Accepting donations for specified charities
  • Setting up catered meals at another location following the funeral

Of course, you’ll likely find that you don’t need all of these services for the funeral you’re planning. So, make a list of the services that are a must-have before you begin your research. 

2. Reputation

It’s also very important to select a funeral home with a good reputation. A good funeral home will be with you every step of the way through your planning. While planning a funeral is never easy, the right funeral home will help make the process less stressful. 

To find a funeral home with a good reputation, we recommend that you start by asking for recommendations from friends and family members. Once you’ve gathered a list of recommendations, go online to see what others have to say. 

People often leave reviews on Google My Business or directly on the funeral home’s website. You can also call the Better Business Bureau to make sure that the funeral home you’re considering is in good standing. 

3. Religious or Cultural Needs 

If you have certain religious or cultural customs that you’d like to observe during the funeral, it’s very important that you check that the funeral home can provide for you. 

For example, if you come from a culture that has large events surrounding the funeral, you’ll need to make sure that the funeral home you choose has the space to accommodate your needs. 

If religion is your main concern, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are many funeral homes these days that cater to specific religious needs. 

4. Location

It’s also very important to consider the location of the funeral home that you choose. 

You’re going to be in frequent communication with the funeral home, so a convenient location can be helpful when making preparations. If you’re planning the funeral home remotely, then the exact location is less of a concern for you personally. 

However, if you plan to have the memorial service at the funeral home, you’ll want to make sure that your funeral attendants can easily reach it by car. You’ll also want to make sure that the funeral home has the right technology to make planning the funeral remotely easy. 

5. Price 

Of course, price is also a factor you need to consider when choosing a funeral home. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of a funeral in the US is $7,640. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is just an average, and you could easily end up paying a lot more or a lot less. The exact price you pay will depend on a number of different factors, but one thing that can have a huge effect on the overall price is what burial option you choose. 

Typically, cremation is a lot more affordable than a burial. This is because caskets can be quite expensive. 

Before you start calling funeral homes, lay out a budget. Then, call each home you’re considering to get a price quote. Reputable funeral homes will offer you a breakdown of all of the expenses. 

6. Staff 

It’s also very important to choose a funeral home that employs caring staff members. 

Oftentimes, the best way to learn about the staff of a funeral home is to call them directly or visit them in person. When on the phone, pay attention to their demeanor and whether or not they take the time to thoroughly answer your questions. 

When visiting a funeral home in person, make note if someone greats you right away as well as how the staff interacts with you. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, a good funeral home can make things less stressful, respectful and compassionate staff is the foundation of a good funeral home. 

7. Grief Resources 

If you or your loved ones are struggling with grief, you may also want to find a funeral home that offers resources to help you cope. 

Nowadays, many funeral homes offer grief counseling services, host grief support groups, offer in-home check-ins and phone calls, and provide their clients with educational content about grief. 

Your grief journey is important, and the right funeral home can help you on the path toward healing.  

Choosing Funeral Homes: Are You Ready to Decide? 

Now that you have these tips for choosing funeral homes, it’s time to start your research. Pretty soon, you’ll have the right funeral home selected for you or your loved one. 

If you’re choosing the funeral home for yourself, make sure to talk to your will and estate lawyer so you can get your burial requests in writing. 

Also, if you’re searching for a funeral home in the San Diego area, contact us today.