How to Plan an Out-of-State Funeral

Planning a funeral is one of the most stressful things a family can go through. It doesn’t help that you also have to plan for a funeral that your local Phoenix, AZ cremation service can’t arrange.

Maybe your loved one lived in another state, or they were traveling when they passed away, and you don’t know where to begin with their final arrangements.

If you need to organize an out-of-state funeral, we can help. This blog post will walk you through the first steps for arranging one for a loved one who recently passed away.

Find a Reputable Funeral Home

When planning an out-of-state funeral, finding a reputable funeral home that can help you with the arrangements is crucial.

If your loved one passed away in a hospital, you could also ask the hospital for a recommendation. Hospitals often partner with funeral homes, so they know which ones are reputable and will help with arrangements.

You can also search for funeral homes in your loved one’s city online. But make sure to check out online reviews to determine quality. The funeral director will handle most of the details in your absence, so take your time to find a capable person that understands your needs.

Identify the Services You Want to Include

To arrange an out-of-state funeral, identify the types of services you want to include. Funeral services come in different forms, each with its costs. You will need to identify the type of service your loved one would want and then make sure to confirm the price.

Some funeral homes will only provide a cost breakdown once you decide on the service types you want to include. These services include a viewing or visitation, the funeral service, cremation, and a funeral procession.

Other services include transporting the body across state lines. Asides from adding to your total costs, transporting remains comes with its regulations, which is why it’s essential to work with a reputable funeral home.

Don’t forget Out-of-State Guests

Make sure that you have enough hotel rooms available for your guests. Your out-of-state friends and relatives may not be familiar with the area, so they will need a place to stay.

Also, publish the obituary as soon as you can. It will give non-family members who wish to attend the funeral enough room to plan so they can say their goodbyes.

Having the funeral on the weekend – Saturday afternoon or early Sunday – is another way to accommodate your guests. Most people are free and won’t need to take time off work.

These tips should help you get started when planning an out-of-state funeral for a loved one who recently passed away. We hope you find this information useful and that it makes the planning process a little bit less stressful.

For additional questions, contact us. Also, contact us if you wish to arrange a cremation service in Phoenix, AZ, from out-of-state. Our caring professionals will help take the stress out of planning and create a service that suits you and your family’s needs.