What is the family's responsibility for a funeral?

Question

I heard that the imidiate family usually gets the spray for the casket, is there anything else? (besides the obvious- casket, grave site, ect.)

Answer 1

Typically, the immediate family is responsible for the entire ceremony, disposition of the remains, etc. Extended family, neighbors and church community play a role for the extra things that the family should not be burdened with (i.e., food arrangement for the "pass" or other things that they do not have time to deal with that could include informing others of the passing of the individual). The family would be responsible for writing the obit (unless the funeral home includes it in their fee for service package), arrange the eulogy with a presiding officiant that knew the deceased, etc.

The link below has a lot of information and "etiquette" that should be observed during this time of grief.

Note: Whatever the family does not want to deal with, there is always a close neighbor or other family member that will take care of the details.

Answer 2

When my dad passed away 3 years ago, my mom and we kids planned everything concerned with the funeral....the visitation, funeral, burial, family flowers (a spray for the top of the casket as well as Dad, Husband, and Grandfather bouquets) and the reception afterward. We didn't have to worry about the plot, as there was space in the family one. Also...I wrote up the notice for the newspapers, and delivered it to the funeral parlor who then placed the ad in the papers. Funeral parlors are great for gathering information about this kind of thing...but the biggest help is having detailed instructions for your funeral before you die. That way there is no second guessing for your loved ones.

Answer 3

minister for the ceremony
perhaps a soloist or special music?