Whether planning for our own passing, or planning the funeral of a loved one, it can be overwhelming with all of the tasks that need to be accomplished, from paperwork to be filed, family to be notified, arrangements and planning to be done, and more. Before you get in over your head from all that needs to be done, one of your first tasks should be to call a funeral director. But what does a funeral director do exactly? And how are they able to help you and your family? Here are some of the things a funeral director can assist your family with.

1. Transportation. Right from the beginning, the funeral director is the person to call when someone passes away. They will arrange transportation of the body back to the funeral home. Whether it be from your home, a hospital, or even a different state, funeral directors will take care of it.

2. Paperwork. In the midst of all the grief you go through when experiencing a loss, there is still paperwork that needs to be completed. Your funeral director will work with you to make sure all the correct and needed paperwork is filled out properly. It is a relief to have them helping with administrative duties like filing the death certificate, and compiling the obituary.

3. Pre-Planning. If you decide you’d like to pre-plan your own end of life plans, funeral directors are here for that too. They can sit with you, explain the choices and options available and answer any questions you may have. They can also provide assistance with purchasing goods or helping with a payment plan if you so choose to pre-pay. They will also help work with cemeteries to secure a plot and/or headstone.

4. Assist in determining benefits. Identifying and applying for Social Services and other death benefits can be a confusing process to undertake. Luckily, funeral professionals are there every step of the way to figuring out your benefits as well as filing the necessary paperwork to receive them.

5. Oversee all aspects of the funeral before, during and after it occurs. Before a funeral, directors will work with families to make arrangements with local clergy, florists and even caterers. They can invite and keep track of attendees, arrange for pallbearers and more. If the person the funeral is honoring was in the military, special accommodations can be made for that too. During the funeral or memorial service, a funeral director will assist the family in making sure the funeral runs smoothly. They can help get people to their seats, pass out the order of services and help with other facets of the service. After the funeral they can give you the guest book, floral and mass cards

6. Personalization. Funeral directors want to make sure a funeral service reflects the unique life of you or a loved one. In addition to making the general arrangements, a funeral director can also make sure the funeral is personalized to reflect the essence of who it’s honoring. From favorite musical arrangements, to poems, favorite colors and more, a service really can be customized in any way you’d like! They can even go further with customization, in helping display special photos, keepsakes, or other items that encompass the spirit of who they belonged to.

7. Grief support. As a professional who helps those grieving during a very difficult time in their life, funeral directors are well-versed in emotional support; providing comfort for those who are struggling. They are also wonderful resources to use to be connected to other grief support professionals.

8. They stay in touch. As previously mentioned a funeral director will be available for assistance before and during a funeral. Even after a funeral, families are encouraged to reach out to their funeral director if more help is needed. Many funeral homes also invite families to memorial services, sometimes around the holidays, to remember a loved one that has died

9. They are here to answer questions. Here at Raynor and D’Andrea, our caring funeral directors are here to guide you every step of the way after you experience a loss or if you have other questions. We provide support for when you need it the most. For more information our well-informed staff is standing by and can be reached at 1-800-737-0017.