Many of us don’t have much experience in organising funerals, but if someone close to you has passed and you have the responsibility of getting funeral and cremation/burial arrangements in order, then you may be looking for a funeral director you can trust.

But what does a funeral director actually do? In this simple guide, Affordable Cremations has explained the role of a funeral director. Once you have a better idea about how they assist with making your goodbye personal and memorable, it should be easier for you to choose someone you’re comfortable with.

The role of the funeral director

Primarily, the funeral director is there to provide a service for you, your family and friends, to honour the person that has recently died. They’re there to listen to your wishes, and help to combine them with practical actions and legal requirements, to build a funeral service that is suitable.

A funeral director should be compassionate during this sensitive time. Choose one that provides a warm, personal service, with the experience to guide you through the process and ensure you’re happy and comfortable with what they can provide.

Funeral directors are there to lessen the burden on you and your family, playing a major part in the funeral preparations, while ensuring that the wishes of you and your loved one are honored.

How can they help before, during and after the service?

As you navigate this strange time, your funeral director can become a stable point-of-contact to help you make arrangements before and after the service, and to guide you through the process on the day.

1. They help you realise any known wishes. Sometimes, the recently deceased person discusses what they would like during their funeral service. Your funeral director can help you realise these, if they’re possible. If there’s something they can’t help you with, they should be able to refer you to someone who can.
2. They assist with the organisation details. Planning a funeral involves a lot of organisation and tiny details. A funeral director can help you with these details – from choosing between a cremation and a burial, to deciding who should lead the ceremony, they’re there to bounce ideas off and to provide the professional guidance you need.
3. They help you to personalise the ceremony. The life of a person is unique, and their goodbye ceremony should be too. Your funeral director may ask you some questions about the person that has just died, such as their favourite song, hobbies or even the flowers they liked. They can also provide support in the writing of the eulogies, if required, to help ensure the ceremony is a true reflection of the person’s life.
4. They can help to organise the wake. If needed, the funeral director can help you to make arrangements for the wake following the service. They’ll have local contacts for venues and caterers, to make organising much easier on you and your family.
5. They take care of legal matters for you. You’ve got enough on your plate at this time. Funeral directors can take care of logistics such as the registration of death and the transfer of the deceased to the funeral home.

There are endless other details a funeral director can assist with, such as liaising with the clergy or funeral celebrant, organising floral arrangements and booking times with the church or crematorium. Simply ask them for guidance and support where you need, to make the organisation as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Contact Affordable Cremations

We offer an affordable Direct Cremation service in New South Wales. We’re a family-run business that takes a personal, supportive approach to gently guide you and your family through the process. To learn more about our service, Contact us.