Category: Funeral

Planning a funeral can be an emotional and overwhelming process. However, with careful preparation and support, you can create a meaningful and personalized farewell for your loved one. In this step-by-step guide, we will outline the key stages involved in planning a funeral, helping you navigate this difficult time with compassion and respect.

1) Notify and gather support 

When a loved one passes away, begin by notifying immediate family members and close friends. Reach out to trusted individuals who can provide emotional support and assist you throughout the funeral planning process. Share the news with relevant parties, such as employers or organizations, to make necessary arrangements. Having a support system in place will help alleviate some of the burden and allow you to focus on the necessary tasks.

2) Choose a funeral home and director 

Select a reputable funeral home that aligns with your needs and values. Meet with the funeral director to discuss your preferences and gather information about available funeral services Auckland. They will guide you through the legal requirements, assist with paperwork, and offer advice on various funeral options, including burial or cremation, caskets, urns, and memorial services.

3) Determine the funeral type and logistics 

Decide on the type of funeral or memorial service you envision. Consider factors such as cultural or religious customs, personal preferences, and budget. Discuss the desired location, date, and time with the funeral home. Coordinate details such as transportation for the deceased, seating arrangements, audio-visual presentations, music, readings, and speakers.

4) Personalize the ceremony

Create a personalized ceremony that honours the life and memory of your loved one. Consider their hobbies, passions, and achievements when selecting readings, music, or rituals. Include eulogies or speeches from family members or close friends who can share heartfelt stories or memories. Display photographs, memorabilia, or a tribute table that represents their life journey. Personal touches can provide solace and help attendees celebrate and remember the unique individual your loved one was.

5) Communicate and invite attendees

Inform family, friends, colleagues, and community members about the funeral arrangements. Utilize various communication channels such as phone calls, emails, social media, or newspaper announcements. Include relevant details such as the date, time, location, and any specific requests or instructions. Consider creating an online obituary or memorial page where people can leave messages and share their condolences.

Losing a family member can be difficult, so when it comes to having to announce their death even whilst you’re still in mourning, this can also be a complex situation that you might not even have the energy to deal with.

However, the deceased’s friends will be grateful that you took the time to let them know of their passing. This is especially important if you weren’t particularly close with any of their friends before they passed away.

So, if you’re planning on doing this on Facebook, here’s how you can tell the deceased’s friends that they’ve sadly passed away.

Make A Simple Announcement

A simple announcement is all you need to let others know that your family member has recently died. Keep the name, the date of their passing, and details of the memorial service that you wish to make public. You can also include a picture of the deceased, as well as a sentimental memory that you want to share. Not everyone appreciates this type of post, however, so it might be worth putting a warning at the very top of your post to caution others that it’s a sad post.

Adjust Privacy Settings

You might not be Facebook friends with all of the deceased’s friends, so it’s a good idea to change the privacy settings of the post to ensure that the deceased’s friends can also view it. You might not want the post to be seen by everyone either, so it’d be wise to change it to Friends (+ Friends of those tagged). This setting allows friends of anyone tagged in the post to view the post as well.

Memorialise Their Facebook Account

Facebook introduced a feature that enabled Facebook accounts to be memorialised if the account owner has passed away. This allows friends and family to gather and share fond memories of the deceased, preventing others from logging into the account. If you’d like to memorialise the deceased’s Facebook account, you’ll need to make a request with Facebook.

If you’ve recently lost a close family member, our condolences are with you and your family. If you’re looking for funeral homes in Auckland, Rowley Funerals is a funeral service provider that prioritises the needs of you and your family during this difficult time. Get in touch with us today.