What do you look for when selecting a funeral home?
Is it a welcoming staff, a modern building or a convenient location?
While some may view a funeral home strictly as a facility to hold services, at Busch, we believe it’s much more than that.
A top Northeast Ohio funeral home should offer you a comfortable, relaxing setting with modern amenities and round-the-clock care. And this philosophy is the driving force behind our seven funeral homes in Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.
As you explore your options, take a look at the key aspects we focus on at our seven locations—and why you should look for these features in any funeral home you choose for your family.
>>>Related Resource: 4 Steps to Choosing the Right Funeral Home
When choosing where to arrange a funeral service, accessibility is key. It’s important to consider the location of the facility. Is it easily accessible from main roads and highways? Chances are that some guests will be coming from out of town, so you want to choose a facility that attendees can easily find. If most guests are in town, consider a facility with a central location.
In addition, if elderly or physically disabled friends and family are present at the funeral, you’ll want to make sure the facility is easily navigable. Some questions to ask when choosing a funeral home include:
Accessibility allows for all loved ones to attend and celebrate a life safely and comfortably.
When choosing a funeral home, there are many factors to consider regarding the space. An updated facility helps improve the level of comfort, satisfaction and service during your family’s time of need.
Some features to consider include:
You want to make sure your guests have access to a variety of amenities before, during and after the service, and feel safe and comfortable throughout.
Like accessibility, whether a funeral home has additional indoor and outdoor guest space is also important to consider.
By having access to a walkout patio, courtyard or garden, guests can come and go as they please and enjoy the fresh air during their time at the funeral home. When it’s cold outside, a community room also allows guests to step away when they need to. This can be an overwhelming time for guests, and additional spaces allow them to maneuver about the facility without feeling confined to one spot.
Another feature that often goes overlooked is windows. Exposure to natural light can enhance your mood and help with the grieving process.
Not every funeral home offers the same goods and services, which is why it’s important to consider catering services when choosing a funeral home.
If you’re planning to have a luncheon following the funeral, you’ll need to have access to a caterer. A funeral home that provides catering services allows for easy planning. Plus, with an on-site catering and banquet space, your guests only must travel to one location without worrying about the logistics of another meeting spot. Oftentimes, a facility without designated caterers charges an extra fee, which can increase your overall budget.
Your comfort with the staff should be a main priority when choosing a funeral home, as you’ll be relying on them to facilitate the wishes of your family and departed loved one. How certain do you feel that each funeral home you’re considering will respect your wishes, budget and needs? If you don’t feel completely comfortable and confident in a funeral home’s ability to carry out your loved one’s last wishes, consider looking for a facility that can ensure your needs are met.
When it comes to a caring, welcoming staff, consider these questions:
Finding a funeral home with a compassionate, experienced staff will help you get through this difficult time and ensure your loved one’s final wishes are fulfilled.
Technology has played a significant role in funeral services over the past several years. It allows families to add unique, personalized touches to their loved one’s end-of-life celebrations through audio streams, video and photo slideshows, and more. It also can allow webcasting for those who cannot attend the event.
Also consider technological advancements that guests may have come to expect at other services, like reliable Wi-Fi and a modern website to look up service details.
Many funeral homes will assist you with your preparations, including choosing a casket, flowers and coordinating with a place of worship.
Many, however, don’t offer on-site remembrance centers that allow visitors to view memorial products in person and decide which would best honor their loved one.
Choosing a funeral home with an on-site remembrance center can help you personalize an end-of-life celebration for your loved one, from engraved keepsake jewelry to unique caskets or cremation urns.
>>>Related Resource: Benefits of a Funeral Home with an On-Site Remembrance Center: Personalization and Memorial Options
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult times in anyone’s life, and we understand how stressful it can be to plan final arrangements. As you embark on this journey, download our funeral planning checklist to provide you with the necessary steps and answer the most common questions we hear.
Additionally, if you have questions about any of our seven locations, contact us or schedule a tour to get to know our caring staff and see if any of our locations suit your needs.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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