As anyone who has planned a funeral or memorial service for a loved one can attest, there are hundreds of decisions that need to be made – and many people are affected by each and every one. From logistics like the date, time, and location of the service to the personal details included in the funeral itself to the selection of the final resting place, many families don’t realize the intricacies of the planning process.
At Krause Funeral Home, we talk with Milwaukee, New Berlin, and Brookfield families every day (lately via phone or video chat) who are coping with losing someone close to them. Our staff understands that the grief process is overwhelming on its own – not to mention in the midst of a pandemic.
As we face so much uncertainty due to the COVID-19 crisis, there is more stress than ever when it comes to saying goodbye to family and friends. But helping you through difficult times is what we do best. We’ve been there for our community during times of crisis for over 80 years, and want to offer a few tips about reducing stress throughout the funeral planning process.
- Take your time. If you’ve experienced a loss recently, we extend our heartfelt condolences. It’s never easy to deal with a death, but current circumstances are making it even more complicated and heartbreaking. While there are aspects of end-of-life planning that require immediate attention, the funeral itself isn’t one of them. Our professional staff has the experience to work with you and organize a timeline so you won’t feel rushed. You and your family can discuss needs and preferences, including whether you want to use our livestreaming services. This means family and friends can watch the service happening live, all from the safety of home. There is also the option to watch a recording of the service.
Some families are choosing to livestream and then have an in-person reception at a later date. Other families are opting for cremation and a private burial. Whatever your wishes, our staff can walk you through each decision that needs to be made.
- Compile important documents. Putting funeral arrangements in place involves a lot of paperwork – more than you might think – so it’s helpful to have this information handy when needed. Our online preplanning checklist outlines the documents needed to help ease the process. Here’s a glimpse at what the list includes:
- Vital Statistics
- Social Security Number
- Veteran Information
- Affiliations and special Recognition
- Persons to Contact
- Funeral Preferences
- Location of Important Documents and Passwords
If you’re not able to get these documents together, find out where the paperwork is kept so it’s easier to access when the time comes.
- Communicate openly about the budget. When it comes to a funeral, there are numerous possibilities available and at Krause Funeral Home, we have services to fit every budget. With meaningful options at varying price points, we will talk you through each one so you have a clear idea of what’s involved. Don’t let financial concerns hold you back from contacting us or filling out our online planning form. We will work with you to customize the funeral experience from start to finish, including the obituary, flowers, and every element of the service itself.
Keep in mind that the number one way to decrease stress for your family is to preplan your own funeral arrangements so your loved ones know exactly what you want. This removes any questions or uncertainties about your preferences, while putting you in control of how you want your final tribute carried out. Preplanning is easier than ever with our online planning form. You can get started from the comfort of home and take your time with your responses.
We say with sincerity that helping families is not a job to us – it is our calling. We are here to answer your questions and help you create the special tribute your loved one deserves. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime.