The final journey your loved one will take after their passing is the funeral procession to a cemetery for burial or placement of cremated remains. And while the specifics of arranging a funeral procession can be complicated for most grieving families, an experienced funeral home can help.
Here are five tasks that the funeral home will help with.
1. Determining the Need for a Procession
In many cases, a funeral procession isn't just a formality. It is necessary to transport remains from a church or funeral home to a burial site. However, not everyone's remains are interred. You may not even have a body to bury. In these cases, staff will work with you to determine what traditional elements of a funeral to keep and which to rework.
2. Obtaining Permits or Escorts
Funeral procession law differs from locale to locale. In most cases, permits are not needed, but the funeral home will know the current law in the area in which they operate.
3. Arranging the Right Vehicles
Where do you get a hearse from? How many family cars should you use? Should you rent any vehicles? And what about lead cars and funeral procession indicators on them? The funeral home staff likely already has much of what you need for transportation, and they have a network of providers for other services.
4. Crafting the Guest List
Who should be invited to the funeral procession? This is a personal decision, but it should begin with only the closest circle of friends and family. The larger your funeral process and graveside services, the more chances there are that someone will cause difficulty for you. Funeral home staff will not only help you find the right guest list but also manage them.
5. Preparing the Pallbearers
The job of physically carrying your loved one's casket to and from the various services is a big one. While it is an honor, it's also a challenging physical task few have done. Work with the funeral home to select pallbearers and any transport aids (such as wheeled biers), train them to handle the role, and offer assistance to them at the graveside.
Where Should You Start?
Whether you know that a funeral procession is necessary or you want help making the best decision, start by meeting with an experienced funeral home in your area. With their expertise, you and your loved ones can plan the right services to honor the deceased and serve the needs of survivors.
