Funeral Planning:
Where to begin when you don’t know where to begin.
If you have never planned a funeral before, it can be quite daunting by not knowing what to do or where to go. You may feel intimidated by the selection of funeral types and you may feel unsure of the “right” thing to do. Like many others, you may not even know where to begin or the questions you should be asking.
Honouring the deceased does not need to be complicated and costly. It is your choice (or the choice of the deceased if they have left specific wishes) whether to have a simple Agnostic funeral, a church funeral with burial or a modest cremation ceremony. Your beliefs or that of the deceased and budget should be the deciding factor of the type of funeral to plan. The funeral is for the living and not the deceased so plan accordingly, while respecting any request the deceased may have desired.
The following actions are to help you when planning a funeral for yourself or someone else:
1. Planning a Funeral is a Family matter.
Sometimes Funeral Planning begins at home. Although, some people find it easier to discuss the details with their chosen Funeral Director as they will be able to advise on any details the family may not think or be aware of. Contrary to popular belief planning in advance will not invite a death but will make it easier for family members to carry out the specific instructions of the deceased.
Many people have found that in times of grief having had the Funeral Plan in place, made a painful period more bearable. However, other families have said to have found great peace and meaning when carrying out considerate funeral plans that dignified the deceased in a suitable and affordable way.
There are a host of recognised practices to honour the passing of a loved one…
The wishes of the deceased individual as well as the families wishes should be taken into consideration as to the type of funeral. No religion, philosophy or creed dictates the budget spent on a funeral. A funeral can consist of a basic cremation without a ceremony or a simple ceremony with a celebrant or pastor to a large luxurious event, consisting of a long wake before the funeral, expensive coffin and coffin procession. There is a wide selection of coffins to choose from and they can be viewed on our coffins page. The remains can be kept in the Funeral Home for public or private viewing or the departed can be kept in the family home for private visitation and wake.
No matter your choice, ensure to stand by your beliefs and not that of the “community” or what does not hold true to the passed family member. A funeral is for the living and not the dead, so no amount of money spent will prove a greater grief than that of a smaller, simpler funeral arrangement.
2. What are the Funeral options available to me?
Some people can be misinformed or unsure of what can and can’t be carried out in preparation for a funeral. A funeral can be as extravagant or as modest as the deceased’s’ family require, with the family’s Financial Plan taken into consideration. A funeral is a gathering where the grieving family members and friends can congregate to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of the deceased.
A “Traditional funeral” consists of embalming, ornate coffin, open-casket viewing (if desired), church Funeral Service, procession leading to graveside service and followed by an after funeral function.
However, this type of funeral may not be for you for a number of reasons, for example religious orientation, deceased’s bequests or budget restrictions. We at Quinn’s of Glasthule Funeral Directors will cater to you as the bereaved family religious beliefs, the requirements of the departed and available budget.
A more modern funeral might consist of embalming, plain basic coffin, removal from the Funeral Home or family home, a brief ceremony held at the Crematorium and followed by optional funeral function or gathering.
Funeral arrangements for the different types of religious practices vary and can be carried out by Quinn’s of Glasthule Funeral Directors upon request. Some funeral requests may require special dispensation and Quinn’s of Glasthule can obtain and manage the submission of these special applications.
If the traditional Irish funeral brings comfort to the bereaved family we at Quinn’s of Glasthule Funeral Home are here to help you arrange the most fitting and affordable funeral for your loved one.
For instance, a family may not want a public viewing of the deceased but they want a place that friends and other family members can gather to pay their respects. In this case, the funeral home is a convenient and ideal location. Visitation of the deceased can be restricted as per the family’s wishes.
Do you require a Protestant funeral carried out in a Church of Ireland with procession to cemetery? Do you wish to arrange a Jewish funeral that takes place in a Synagogue, the Funeral Home or at a cemetery? Would you prefer to arrange a non-religious funeral, which takes place either at the graveside or in the crematorium? Alternatively an Islamic funeral consisting of burial in a shroud without a coffin. This is the traditional burial method and has been for thousands of years. Quinn’s of Glasthule Funeral Homes Dublin liaise with the Dublin Islamic Society and the Newcastle cemetery in Dublin to arrange this type of Muslim funeral and burial.
No matter your religious preference, ritual, spirituality or observance, Quinn’s of Glasthule Funeral Homes Dublin are available to make the necessary preparations.