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It’s never easy planning a funeral. You’re probably going through your own stages of grief. And then you have to manage the expectations of family members, friends, co-workers and the community that loved and respected the departed.
Whether you’re planning your own funeral that’s yet to take place or putting together the event for someone who has already died, it’s best to begin your journey down this path with a few funeral planning tips in Brooklyn. And one of the best places to grab those treasured tips is from the staff at Harmony Funeral Home.
What Are the First Steps to Take When Planning a Funeral?
Start with pre-planning if possible. It eases stress later and gives you time to focus on what matters most. A Brooklyn funeral parlor with ties to the community can guide you through the process and help you prepare. Think about the personal elements that shape the tone, style and structure of the service, such as:
- Selecting meaningful music or readings
- Inviting family, friends and key people to read or play live music
- Choosing burial or cremation that the deceased preferred
- Arranging a photo montage to be played at the memorial
- Putting together an ash scattering ceremony at a favorite location
Whether the service is spiritual, simple or something in between, it should reflect the person’s life. Your loved one may have already made some arrangements or expressed their final wishes in advance. These can guide decisions and make the next steps clearer. Locate any relevant documents or records such as:
- A written will or funeral directive
- Prepaid funeral plans
- Life insurance policies
- Instructions shared with clergy or family
What Are the Different Types of Funeral Options Available?
A traditional funeral is often what people picture first. It typically includes a viewing or visitation, a formal ceremony often in a place of worship or our funeral chapel and a burial. There’s comfort in tradition and many families choose this option because of religious customs, family expectations or personal values.
A memorial service offers the same beauty and meaning as a funeral but without the presence of the body, when a picture of the deceased is highlighted or a video montage played. This option offers more flexibility for later planning. It’s helpful if out-of-town family needs time to travel.
Another type of funeral option we’ve helped families with is a celebration of life. This kind of gathering focuses less on mourning and more on the joy your loved one brought into the world. We’ve helped families plan celebrations that include:
- Meaningful music and food
- Sharing memories or stories
- Displaying photos, videos and special decorations
- Showcasing personal touches like hobbies or legacy trophies and memorabilia
What Religious or Cultural Customs Should I Consider in Funeral Planning?
Funeral planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Culture and faith shape how a service feels. Christian services may include hymns, readings and a viewing. Haitian Creole-speaking families in our Flatbush, East Flatbush and Canarsie communities bring powerful expressions of faith, song and extended family involvement into the service.
If your loved one was Muslim, we can coordinate a prompt burial with religious washing, called ghusl, shrouding and Janazah prayer. For Hindu families, we’re experienced in arranging services that include a wake, open-casket farewell and cremation following traditional rites.
Buddhist customs may involve chanting, offerings and periods of reflection. Our Brooklyn funeral home director takes the lead on all your funeral planning tips in Brooklyn by:
- Taking time to understand your traditions
- Asking thoughtful questions to guide the process
- Including the customs that matter to you
- Handling all the details from body transportation to ceremony planning
What Are Eco-Friendly or Green Funeral Options?
Many ecologically minded families wonder about eco-friendly burials now. If the environment was important to your loved one, show it by planning a green funeral. A green burial doesn’t rely on the use of chemicals, non-biodegradable materials and processes that contribute to pollution or carbon emissions.
It’s a return to simpler and natural traditions often involving biodegradable materials and conservation-focused burial options. We’re experienced in helping families from all backgrounds honor both religious and environmental values. We’ve got relationships with local green burial sites in Brooklyn and offer assistance with choices that include:
- Biodegradable caskets and shrouds
- Environmentally conscious cremation
- Green memorial services
- Conservation burial grounds
How About Some Affordable Funeral Planning Tips in Brooklyn?
Planning a funeral doesn’t have to overwhelm you financially. Harmony Funeral Home offers affordable funeral services that are respectful and complete. Whether planning ahead or immediately after a loss, you can honor someone meaningfully without compromising on quality by:
- Choosing direct burial or cremation to cut costs
- Going with a simple, meaningful casket or urn
- Keeping the funeral in a home or park
Creating a tribute video or playlist can also leave a lasting impression. A photo slideshow with songs your loved one enjoyed can be put together easily and shared during the service.
What Are Funeral Planning Tips in Brooklyn for a Post-Funeral Gathering?
Harmony Funeral Home can guide you or coordinate the entire repast for you. A repast is a gathering after the funeral where people come together to eat, share stories and support each other. You get to decide how laid-back or formal it should be. Some tips may include hosting it at:
- Your home
- A family member’s house
- Community center
- Place of worship
- Restaurant with a private room
- Our facilities
If you expect a crowd, ensure the space is comfortable and accessible. The repast can be as simple or as formal as you’d like. Use a caterer or save money with repast funeral planning tips in Brooklyn that might include:
- Cooking dishes yourself
- Asking close friends and family members to contribute
- Holding a potluck
- Providing just light snacks like coffee, tea, pastries or sandwiches
At Harmony Funeral Home, we’ve guided countless families, especially those who didn’t know what to do after a death. Our funeral planning tips in Brooklyn work for religious services and non-religious funerals. Contact Harmony Funeral Home in Brooklyn today. We’re available day or night to answer your call and help you take the next steps.
Harmony Funeral Home
2200 Clarendon Rd.,
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(718) 469-6666