Let's face it. Planning an at-need funeral sounds straightforward in theory, but in reality, it's a hectic, painful, and depressing process. Besides dealing with the shock and pain of loss, families must also consider the legal, financial, and societal requirements involved. Among the many details involved in funeral planning are logistics (arranging funeral transport) and choosing the best funeral service providers. 

Fortunately, more people are embracing planning their funerals in advance. Pre-planning a funeral allows individuals to document their wishes, pre-sign the necessary paperwork, and arrange all their affairs. The goal of pre-need final arrangements is to relieve the family of the difficulty of organizing everything amidst grief.

However, when there are no pre-planned final arrangements, families are forced to manage everything from start to finish, including notifying their legal representative and the funeral home. 

What Are Funeral Service Providers 

Funeral service providers deal with products or services specifically for the funeral industry. These businesses play crucial roles in ensuring that families find what they need—and when needed—to give their loved ones a dignified send-off. Below are some of the people you'll work with when planning a traditional funeral for a loved one: 

• The Funeral home
• Musicians
• Videographers
• Florists
• Crematoriums 
• Cemeteries
• Monuments
• Caterers
• Religious officials
• Venue for the memorial or funeral service
• Obituary writer

Depending on the deceased’s wishes (as indicated in their pre-need plan or Will), funeral planning can take between a day and several days. Some people prefer direct cremation or natural burial. These are the most cost-effective disposal options and take no more than 72 hours to complete. However, for traditional burials, planning can take several days and typically involves multiple service providers.

Locating every single one of these service providers can be hectic and draining during such moments of significant emotional instability. This is why legally documenting those wishes and desires in a pre-need plan for easy implementation is a wise idea. That way, the next of kin wouldn't have to worry about which monument to pick or whether to choose cremation over burial. The fewer the responsibilities, the lesser the burden. 

Fortunately, bereaved families no longer have to worry about locating these service providers in time. Keys2Eternity makes it easy to browse through a list of funeral products and services where you can make your preferred selection conveniently from the comfort of your phone. 

Who Is Responsible For Planning A Funeral?

The responsibility of planning a funeral depends on whether it is a pre-need or at-need funeral. In pre-need funeral arrangements, you're at liberty to choose who should plan and execute your final wishes and disposition.

The person you designate in your Last Will and Testament or Living Will should be legally mandated to take that responsibility, ensuring that all your wishes are honored. By legally mandated, we mean they should be recognized as your next of kin (NOK), or where there is no known living relation, a duly appointed executor. 

Otherwise, a normal funeral planning is typically carried out by next of kin  in order of hierarchy. The NOK must be 18 years or older and the nature of your relationship should be indicated as marital, biological, adoptive, half-, or step-relations.

The next of kin hierarchy should be followed in order until an eligible kin capable of making these decisions can be found as follows:

• Legal Spouse: If the deceased is married, their surviving spouse or legal partner is responsible for funeral planning.

• Adult Children: Deceased individuals with adult children may be required to work together, at least in some states. The decision made by the majority carries the day, otherwise, where there's no agreement, the Probate Court may need to step in.

• Surviving Parents: If there are no known legal spouses or adult children, the deceased’s living parents are next in the hierarchy of NOK mandated to plan their adult child's funeral.

• Siblings: For those without spouses, adult children, or living parents, the responsibility of carrying out funeral arrangements falls on siblings, biological or adopted. Again, if more than two siblings are involved, the majority's decision will be considered.

• Other NOKs: Where there are no immediate family members, other relatives like cousins, aunts, nephews, nieces, and grandparents can step in as the next of kin and make the arrangements. If a deceased person has no known NOK anywhere, the county's Social Services Department will make all the funeral planning decisions.

Bottom Line 

Planning a funeral is a demanding task. Families often go through many emotional, legal, social and financial hurdles to get things done, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, that's all in the past now. Keys2Eternity is here to make funeral planning easy and stress-free. We have professionals ready to provide support with pre-need funeral planning.

Furthermore, we also have a comprehensive service provider directory that makes bereavement bearable. These professionals offer convenient access to every memorial product or service you need throughout the funeral planning journey. Find a service provider here.