To Plan A Funeral 1

To Plan A Funeral

California State University Channel Islands

HLTHNRS-348

December 8, 2019

Megan Sharpe
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Introduction

Funerals signify the ceremonial practice used to commemorate the life of a loved one.

The topic of death seems to be a conversation many of us avoid. The fact of the matter is, death

is unavoidable. The planning of a funeral is an aspect of life we must one day face. I took a visit

to the Rose Family Funeral and Cremation home to better understand the funeral process. The

following is a reflection of my experience, as well as, educational material to understand the

inner workings of funeral planning. Funeral planning comes with many aspects, though it can be

simply categorized into necessities and personal preferences.

Necessities

There are certain requisites that need to be abided when planning for a funeral. These

funeral requirements include paperwork, abiding sanctions/laws, and of course money. The

correct documentation of personal information must be relinquished to obtain a death certificate.

It its pertinent to obtain a death certificate in the burial process. Laws have been passed to ensure

that a burial cannot occur without specific legal documentation. In addition, a burial/cremation

permit must be acquired. This permit is called the Permit for Disposition of Human Remains,

which is sanctioned by the county health department (California Department of Consumer

Affairs' Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, 2016). Lastly, money is a necessity when it comes to

funeral planning. The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $10,000 (Potts, 2017). It is

essential to expect to have expenses in funeral planning. These are the basic necessities that need

to be considered and addressed to correctly prepare for a funeral.

Personal Preferences
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A funeral can be customized to the personal needs and wants of the deceased. Either an

individual plans their own funeral with prior instruction or it is planned by their loved ones. A

funeral is individualized to their personal wishes into three general components: preservation of

the corpse, the ceremony, and the interment (Rose Family Funeral and Cremation, 2019). While

at my visit at the funeral home the wants, needs, and desires of their clients are a top priority.

The services they provide are to ensure they have created a memorable funeral tailored to your

loved one. Whether that be a traditional burial of the body or the cremation of remains

(California Department of Consumer Affairs' Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, 2016). The

preference as where one is buried is another aspect that is to be considered, while planning a

funeral. These options include a plot in a cemetery, in a mausoleum, or anywhere else with a

proper permit. When a funeral is personalized it offers the family and friends an opportunity to

easily recall fond memories that assist in the grieving process and honor the life of the loved one.

Conclusion

Overall, this assignment has made me realize that death is nothing to fear. Death is a

commonality every single human being shares. Death is a part of the cycle of life. With death

comes a funeral. Funerals bring emotional closure to the loved ones of the deceased. Though

funerals commemorate the life of a loved one, they require specific arrangements. These

requirements include a combination of money and paperwork. Although death is generalized,

funerals are individualized. Person preferences of the burial or cremation services are offered.

Planning a funeral might seem overwhelming, but there are services like the Rose Family

Funeral and Cremation home to provide support in this difficult time. In reality funeral planning

comes down to necessities and personal preferences.

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References

California Department of Consumer Affairs' Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. (2016). Consumer

guide to funeral & cemetery purchases. California Department of Consumer Affairs'

Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. Retrieved from

https://www.cfb.ca.gov/consumer/funeral.shtml

Potts, L. (2017). 8 Tips for Funeral Planning. AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/home-

family/friends-family/info-2017/funeral-planning-tips-fd.html.

Rose Family Funeral and Cremation. (2019). When Death Occurs. Retrieved from

https://rosefamilyfuneralhome.com/when-death-occurs/.