What to Look for When Choosing a Funeral Home

By: VGFS
Friday, June 7, 2019

Funerals are probably the most-neglected major life event we face. While there’s never a good time for it, researching and choosing a funeral home when you don’t need one is the best way to go. That’s because finding the best funeral home is often put to the side when a loved one passes away.

Many distraught families simply use the nearest funeral home or one that a friend or relative has suggested. But in reality, the difference between funeral home A and B may result in a vastly different overall experience. Read on for some key factors to consider in choosing a funeral home for yourself of a loved one:

Location, facility, and services. You’ll be in frequent contact with the funeral home during the planning process, so a convenient location will be helpful for your preparations. You may also want to consider its accessibility for friends and family who will be in attendance. Be sure to study the funeral home facility itself, as well. Is it clean and well-kept? Do they have a chapel, space for a visitation, viewing, or reception, if your plans require them? Is it comfortable and is the décor to your liking? Be sure to confirm that the funeral home also offers the services you need. Do they offer transportation services, embalming, cremation, etc.?  Whatever your wishes are, you should only commit to a funeral home that can accommodate them.

Reputation. You need to have implicit trust in the funeral home you select because you’re leaving your loved one in their care. It’s important to feel confident that your loved one’s remains will be treated with respect and dignity. Do some research to review their policies and procedures, ask your family and friends about their experiences, check their online reviews, and spend time speaking with the funeral director.

Licenses, qualifications, and training. One of the most important questions to ask during your funeral home visit is about the licenses it holds, as well as the qualifications and training of the funeral director and staff. Knowing that trained, skilled professionals are assisting with the funeral process can do wonders to put your mind at ease.

Compassion and courteousness. This is a key consideration in choosing the right funeral home. If a funeral director or staff member upsets you or your family in any way, you’re probably making the wrong choice. Funeral home staff should show your family compassion and kindness during your time of grief and loss.

Whether you’re in charge of making the funeral arrangements for a loved one or you’re planning ahead for yourself, choosing a funeral home is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. For more information or if we can of assistance to you in any way, please reach out to us anytime.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Saying Goodbye: Six Things to Know and Do When a Loved One is Passing Away

Saying goodbye to a loved one passing away is undeniably hard, but your reassurance can help you both find peace. While final farewells are never easy, there are things you can do to ease the pain...

What Should You Do with Your Departed Loved One's Belongings?

When you are bereaved, sorting through your loved one’s belongings can be especially challenging. Losing a beloved family member or friend is one of life’s most difficult trials. There are many de...

Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community, How Far Have We Come?

The US Department of Health & Human Services reports that African American adults are 20 percent more likely to report serious mental health distress than their white adult counterparts. Wit...

It’s Stroke Awareness Month. Here are Seven Important Facts Everyone Should Know.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to learn about this leading cause of death and disability in America. Strokes or brain attacks are quite common, affecting an estim...

Can’t Sleep at Night? Here are Seven Surprising Reasons Why

When you can’t sleep, everything feels like a struggle. If your slumber is lacking, the reasons behind it might surprise you. Sleep deprivation can cause a range of problems, ranging from mild irr...

Senior Home Safety: Seven Essential Things to Know

Today, one in six Americans is age 65 or older. By the year 2050, the U.S. senior population is expected to rise from 48 million to an astonishing 88 million. Worldwide, those aged 80 and above are...

Seasonal Depression, also known as Winter Blues: Is it Just Depression?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression also known as seasonal depression or winter depression.   People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depressi...

Six Inspiring Outdoor Memorial Ideas to Honor Your Departed Loved One

From simple stones to elaborate gardens, there is no shortage of meaningful outdoor memorial ideas to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed on. When you’re deeply grieved, finding a unique way...

How Much Do You Know About Multiple Sclerosis? Seven Important Facts About this Neurological Disease

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Learn about the neurological disease that affects one person every hour in the U.S. A neurological disease that disrupts the flow of information betwee...

Legally Scattering Ashes: Keep These Six Important Facts in Mind

Legally scattering ashes isn’t complicated but it does require some research and planning. The scattering of a loved one’s ashes can bring peace and closure to surviving family members. For many, ...