Death will always be present around us. It strikes when we least expect them to but happens the worst at times when all seems to be very well and happy. Death appears and leaves us with grief. Is death a means to stop living? The answer is no. Things should go on with life, as death is a part of life.

And when death does come, here are some things we need to do.

1. Contact your family. To have someone beside you in this time of crisis is always helpful. Telling them that a person close to you has passed away would be very difficult to express in words but someone close to you physically can help in that matter. Also, while you and your family are together experiencing this crisis, discuss about making funeral arrangements such as choosing funeral homes and directors, funeral services and crematories, and seek for funeral information and advisory services.

2. Gather important papers. Gathering the important papers will help ease the problems later on. Papers such as Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Retirement Papers that include the birth date, birthplace, father’s name, mother’s name, Social Security Number, Veteran’s Discharge or Claim Number, Education, and Marital Status. Any choice, living will or purchased burial insurance should also be acknowledged.

3. Locate the Will and Notify the Lawyer. This action is quite important as this would later ease the problems on handling the properties left by the passed loved one. It is better to notify the lawyer and have it dealt with as soon as possible.

4. Notify Insurance Companies. Check all insurances for death benefits and other insurances such as burial insurance and the like.

5. Choose the Right Funeral Home. In this critical time, families left behind are vulnerable and emotionally weak. It is best to choose the right funeral home that will bring comfort and ease to the grieving family.

6. Learn to Cope with Grief. Although most people know and understand that they need to grieve, the challenge arises when a grieving person undergoes the process of grief while at the same time, maintaining his or her normal life. Knowing the fact that a loved one is now in peace can help but it’s in acceptance that you need help with grieving and understanding that eases the pain. Reaching out to people, friends, or even at your funeral homes and directors can help.

7. Talk to People. Talking involves expressing thoughts that you are indeed grieving and that you are trying to go on with life. Begin to heal starting with yourself by sharing your thoughts and thanking people who have always been there when you are at your vulnerable state. Remember, death should never be a hindrance to appreciating life the way it is.

When a loved one dies, tons and tons of burdens come into play. Without counting emotional stresses, we also experience the stress that comes with the dozens of decisions that need to be made regarding the funeral. All of them should be made quickly under the stress of time. What funeral home should your loved one be sent to? Are there any funeral plans pre-arranged? How do you obtain funeral services and advisories? Are there any burial insurance to cover up some of the expenses? Needless to say, it is a load for those left behind to deal with such troubles and it is a fact that there are people out there who abuse mourners who are in a vulnerable state.

There are people who abuse others concerning the decisions in choosing the right funeral goods and services needed for the bereaving family members. Some would even raise the prices of such goods and services to cater themselves. These problems have caused such clamor to consumers that the Federal Trade Commission began to regulate the Funeral Rule. But, what is the Funeral Rule and how does it affect the family?

The Funeral Industry Practice, also known as the Funeral Rule, was entitled on September 24, 1982 and became effective on April 30, 1984. The main purpose of the Funeral Rule is to ensure that consumers get the appropriate information needed to make purchasing decisions for funeral goods and services.

According to the Funeral Rule, consumers have the right to choose the funeral goods and services chosen and that the funeral homes and directors should have a written general price list. Another rule included is that if any state or local law requires a consumer to purchase a particular item, the provider must have it written in the price list in line with a reference to the specific law. A funeral provider with funeral services and crematories should have other optional containers, more specifically, urns available for use. The funeral provider must give you a detailed statement regarding the overall cost of the funeral goods and services chosen. Finally, the Funeral Rule requires the funeral provider to provide in writing if they charge a fee for buying cash advance items. Examples of such items would be flowers, notices and other important commodities.

The loss of a loved one should not be an emotionally debilitating experience for you and your family. The Funeral Rule was made to protect consumers from abuse by funeral providers and it is your right to be protected in these times when you just can’t bear another problem. Make it a point to learn your rights and be informed.

Role of Funeral Homes:

The main purpose of funeral homes is to assist in planning and providing the best funeral services in compliance with the wishes of the deceased and the bereaved family. They handle the important paperwork and documents related to the funeral and burial services given.

Their duties include necessary shipment of the casket or remains from the cremation to the burial ground if the deceased has stated to be buried out of state or country. Sometimes they are also responsible for embalming the body so as to prevent the body from decomposing rapidly. Embalming is also applied in cases of severe accidents where the face and the body has been subjected to disfigurement, and embalming helps to make the dead presentable for open casket service. Some funeral homes have a large area reserved for visitation and for hosting guests coming from out of state. Their list of services also includes memorial and graveside services. With the increasing trend of cremation, funeral homes now also host their own crematoriums.

Funeral homes also offer a variety of caskets, urns and coffins to choose from. These usually come in attractive color and wood finishing at varied level of prices. Online funeral services are also offered to customers to save the time and hassle. Grief support is also given by the funeral homes to families who are mourning.

Role of Funeral Directors:

Funeral directors are also known as undertakers or morticians. Their job is to carry out the burial, cremation and funeral ceremony. They take care of the minor details related to the funerals. They consult with the family members to find out their wishes, clergy services and their decisions regarding the cremated remains or the dead body. Furthermore, they determine the date, time and location of the burials and memorial services. They also offer proper condolence to the bereaved family and help them to row smoothly over troubling times. Their aftercare services and grief support groups help to comfort and solace the families.

To act in accordance with the various religions and ethnic groups, they are thorough and well acquainted with the various customs and traditions. Their qualifications also include drafting of obituary notices and placing them in newspapers, furnishing the site with proper decorations for services, arranging conveyance for the family members and the deceased. They also oversee shipment of the body out of state if the deceased has stated so.

They are also well practiced embalmers. They handle the final documents and carry out the necessary paperwork required by the State authorities to issue the death certificate. Funeral directors also assist in pre-arrangement of plans. They offer experienced advice and ensure that the client is satisfied and content. Funeral directors cultivate a work-friendly environment to the employees and maintain a positive attitude towards the mourning families.

Funeral homes and directors play a vital role in society. They work in harmony to warrant that the best is achieved in carrying out funeral services. Providing competent services to people even after death is an art which is perfected by these two.

Death is sometimes a sudden phenomenon and at times, death can come in the form like that of an illness. But it would take time for death to reveal itself. Overall, death has proven to be very difficult to handle especially when those who are close and dear to us are separated from us.

The first step is always the hardest and it would involve choosing the funeral home. The emotional decisions involved at a time of grief and sadness often deprives us of good decisions to make. And with it, you need to have a trustworthy being to help you make that tough decision and make you feel comfortable at a time of crisis. You must understand that the person chosen will have to be honest about the entire process, the procedures, and the overall costs of the funeral; a person that would have respect, compassion, and sympathy to your needs.

Knowing what question to ask when choosing a funeral home, would not only help you decide what funeral home your loved one would be comfortable with but will also give you the comfort needed for you to accept that your loved one will now have peaceful rest.

• Is this an independent funeral home? Does it have any connection with a corporation? An independent funeral home is usually owned by a local community which would fully understand what you are going through.

• Does the funeral home offer pre-arrangements? It would be comforting enough to know that you have already planned out everything and that all you would do is to accompany your loved one for one last time because you have dealt with the hassles early on.

• Is there a price list available? Certain funeral homes do not have price lists. This should not be the case. Price list should be given without any hesitations.

• Are your funeral directors licensed and do they have advanced training? Not only is a license or a certificate important to prove that they are eligible to run a funeral home, it should also be shown through ways that he is sympathizing with your loss and that he or she is competent enough to help you in any way possible.

These questions should help you determine the right service and the right funeral home that will be available to assist you with your personal needs. Many people have found it advantageous to go back to the funeral home that their family had always gone to. It is also of great advantage to research and discover a wide array of choices.