It's a stressful time when someone close to you passes away. If you are the one who has to plan the funeral arrangements, you may feel overwhelmed with the task. If a parent dies suddenly, they may not have any plans in place with a funeral home that outline their final wishes. When you aren't sure what to do, your first step is to contact a funeral home in your area to see what they can offer. Even in your grief, it's acceptable to call several funeral homes to see which one is the best fit for you as you work through the process.

Finding the Right Funeral Home

You may discover that one funeral home answers your call and is able to answer all of your questions readily, while another doesn't take the time to return your call. Obviously you need a quick response as working through the funeral arrangements is generally a fast process. Once you find a local funeral home that you feel comfortable with, it's time to plan what you want to happen.

Viewing Hours and the Funeral Service

Some families choose to have viewing hours the day before the funeral with additional viewing hours before the funeral service. You can have a church service if your family member wanted it or have a service at the funeral home itself. Talk to the funeral director about what you want to see when it comes to allowing people to pay their respects to your loved one. Calling hours are for you, your family, and your friends to say goodbye to the lost loved one and are generally up to your discretion.

Writing the Obituary

Your funeral director can guide you through writing an obituary if you aren't sure what to write. Many often have a form used with clients who come in to plan their own funeral, and this can be used to write down the basics of an obituary. You want to include the names of the deceased's parents, siblings, and offspring if possible, as well as historical information about where they grew up and what they enjoyed in life.

Dealing with an unexpected death is a tough blow to any family. If you are struggling to figure out what to do, your funeral director will be a big help. Talk through the services you want to have, and get the assistance you need making decisions at this difficult time.

To learn more about funeral services, contact a funeral home in your area like Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home Inc.