Funerals have been around for thousands of years. Israel's oldest intentional burial site dates back about 10,000 years. The act of burying a recently deceased person has been practiced for 50,000 years.
It can be challenging to plan a funeral for your loved one. Balancing the planning process with your grief can be overwhelming. You might wonder, "How long do funerals take to plan?"
This guide will discuss what you need to know about the timeline of funeral planning. We'll also discuss the benefits of pre-planning a funeral.
How Long Do Funerals Take to Plan?
There isn't a set timeframe for funeral planning. Funerals are typically held a couple of days or a week after someone dies. There are a few factors that contribute to the length of this period, including:
- Cremation or burial
- Religious beliefs
- The complexity of the funeral
- Whether there were funeral arrangements in place
It can take a single day or a month to plan a funeral. Each person's situation is unique.
Specific Date
The timeframe you have to plan for a funeral might depend on the date it needs to be held. You could have a few days to prepare for a funeral or longer. A few reasons why you might be restricted to specific dates include:
- Availability
- Travel time
- Religious faith
Pre-Planning
Many necessary arrangements are already made when you pre-plan a funeral. Some of the final arrangements you can pre-select include:
Pre-planning a funeral service can speed up the process after the person passes away. You can hold a funeral within a few days if you've gone through funeral planning.
Many people have a list of instructions they want to be carried out for their funeral. It's important to keep these in mind when planning a funeral for your loved one.
Weather
Unfortunately, weather can play a part in how long funeral planning takes. A hurricane or snowstorm might not only affect mourners traveling to the funeral but could impact the burial process as well. You might unexpectedly have more time to plan the funeral while waiting for the weather to be safer.
Funding
Burying a loved one can be costly. Some funeral homes might offer lower rates if you hold your funeral during the week instead of the weekend.
You might need to do the funeral immediately if you don't have enough funds to cover the cost of embalming. Waiting for your loved one to be cremated could impact how long it takes for you to plan the funeral as well.
Schumacher and Benner Are Here to Help
We hope we've answered the question, "How long do funerals take to plan?" As you can see, the answer is based on various factors. Working with a professional funeral home and crematorium can help make the process earlier.
Schumacher and Benner are here to assist you and your loved ones through this trying time. Whether you want to pre-plan a service or have other needs, our caring staff is here to guide you through the process. Get in touch with us today to learn more.