Preparing For a Funeral Service

Could there be anything more difficult than preparing for a funeral? Certainly, such an end-of-life event is hard to look forward to with any great enthusiasm. And it doesn't matter if you're a member of the bereaved inner circle of close family, a co-worker, neighbor or family friend; preparing for a funeral service takes time and forethought.

If you're preparing to attend a funeral, memorial service, or celebration-of-life; the following tips and suggestions can certainly help in your funeral preparations. Naturally, if you have any questions about preparing for a funeral, you should call us at 412-793-3000. We would be pleased to serve you in any way we can.

What Does "Get Prepared" Really Mean?

In reality, the Funeral Director handles a vast majority of planning for any funeral. The staff at Soxman Funeral Homes, Ltd. have prided themselves on handling all service arrangements from start to fnish. However, for us to do our job, we need a little bit of information from the family. The general list of items and information needed is as follows:

Decedent's social security number
Decedent's city and date of birth
Decedent's parent's names (including mother's maiden name)
Clothing for visitation
A recent photograph to be used for printed materials, website, obituary and hairdresser
Discharge document for Veterans (DD-214)
Keepsakes, momentos, glasses, or jewelry to be displayed during visitation
Photographs for picture boards or tribute video

Get Physically, Mentally and Emotionally Prepared

The death of a loved one is among the most stressful experiences we will ever endure. The early days of bereavement are a time of frayed nerves, when emotions run high and hours of restful sleep are hard to find. These difficult days are then followed by the funeral service. How can you possibly survive; or better yet thrive, during such trials as these? Here are some suggestions we believe you'll find valuable:

Maintain a state of "mindful awareness". The tendency when something bad happens to us, like the death of a loved one, is to detach from our physical, emotional and social selves. To "get numb, and stay that way" - but this effort to separate ourselves from what's happening isn't always in our best interest. Try to keep your awareness on the present moment; all the while acknowledging your feelings, thoughts, and bodily reactions to your loss. Only then can you, in the words of the Serenity Prayer, accept the things that cannot be changed, have the courage to change the things which can be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Do everything you can to stay physically healthy. The list of physical symptoms of grief is long: fatigue, body aches and pains, loss or change of appetite, shortness of breath, digestive issues, feelings of heaviness, and tightness in your throat or chest. When faced with an onslaught of physical symptoms like these, it's hard to know exactly how to deal with them. The first step is to recognize and name what your body is experiencing. Only then can you do something to change the way you're reacting to the loss. During these days before the funeral:

Stay hydrated
Eat regularly
Rest regularly
Move your body
Nurture your senses
Engage in prayer or meditation
Reduce your list of necessary activities and chores
Practice self care

Reach out to your support network. Neighbors, friends and family members can be your lifeline right now - and some of them may even be coming to you right now to see how they can help. Don't turn them away; instead, give them the opportunity to give the gift of service. Allow them to walk this path with you for as long as, and in whatever ways, they can. The same goes for the network of professional caregivers: don't neglect to turn to clergy, your family physician, therapist, or grief counselor if you feel your bereavement to be more than you can handle (now, or at any time in the future).

Let Us Help with Your Preparations

Simply call us at 412-793-3000 with any concerns.