When arranging a funeral ceremony, you may have to consider several factors. Planning ahead can help you reduce stress and funeral expenses. Funerals can allow all family members, friends, and relatives to honor the deceased and offer comfort or support to each other. In the Philippines, preparing for the funeral ceremony before the loved one’s death is commonly taboo.
The average funeral and cremation ceremony may cost around PHP 58,000 to more than PHP 700,000 depending on many different factors. The funeral service and burial may also cost up to PHP 2,075,000. Executive Order No. 33 of 2017 has already increased the funeral benefits to PHP 30,000 and PHP 40,000 for GSIS and also SSS members.
Planning in Advance
Sean Martin D. Plantado, head of customer service at Digido.ph, notes that if you don’t have a clear plan, you may put your family in a difficult situation. Do all of your family members prepare the budget for the funeral expenses, especially when you pass away?
It is important to consider several things when planning a funeral. You need to take life insurance, so you can get insured. The beneficiary should be the one who is responsible for delegating the funeral duties. You also need to decide between the burial or cremation process.
It is important to consider several things when planning a funeral. You need to take life insurance, so you can get insured. The beneficiary should be the one who is responsible for delegating the funeral duties. You also need to decide between the burial or cremation process.
You also need to determine how long the ceremony will last. Most Filipinos usually have this ceremony that lasts for several days. Therefore, you have to allocate your money to buy any foods and drinks for the visitors. Don’t forget to prepare your budget for the transportation costs. You may need to fund a car rental for the ride for your visitors.
Steps in Arranging a Funeral
Notify other people
This is the first step that you may want to do. If someone dies unattended or unclear due to unknown reasons, you may want to alert local authorities. In order to proclaim the death legally, you also need to have the physician and medical examiner with you. You also need to contact the funeral director, so he can assist you in arranging the transportation from the location of death to the funeral home. You can also contact the local funeral home, local cremation business, and other service providers.
Secure the death certificate
This is another important thing that you may not want to miss. This document needs to be ready before the funeral ceremony and also the burial process. Most funeral service providers are going to need this document before signing a service contract. This death certificate is also a requirement for submitting death benefit claims with the official Social Security System. The death certificate is also important to do any transactions involving the deceased’s bank accounts.
Choose between a burial or cremation
Burial is more common than cremation in the Philippines. However, the amount of crematoriums in major cities is still growing. Before a cremation process can take place, permission from the City Health Office must be ready. Cremation will be less expensive than the burial process. A cremation service usually costs about PHP 70,000 to PHP 100,000, including the urn, cremation, and also viewing service.
Determine the burial site
If you decide to have a burial process, the funeral home must be accessible for all guests, family, and also public transport. You also want to check if the chapel has some facilities that are accessible to all relatives. In this country, there are three main options for the burial site, including mausoleums, in-ground burial, and also apartment tombs. If you want any funeral supplies you can visit: https://www.
During the Funeral
During the funeral event, you may want to consider several factors, including
Attire
You want to buy the best clothes for the deceased. Once you contact the funeral service providers, they will give you some options on what the deceased is going to wear. Most people are going to put the deceased in formal wear. However, the family members can also choose to dress the deceased in their favorite clothes.
Scheduling
It is also important for you to make sure that you have everything clear with all of the family members and friends. Some relatives may need some time to arrive home from overseas. You also need to make this clear schedule, so you can plan the date for ensuring that all important people can attend.
Food
You may also want to consider buying some snacks for the burial ceremony. Some Filipinos also hire caterers for providing simple snacks for the guests. You have to prepare your budget to get this food ready. It is a good idea for you to compare some available catering services, so you can choose the best one with the most affordable budget for you and your family.
Traditions
This is another important thing that you have to consider, especially when you are preparing for the funeral ceremony. This burial ceremony will be the closing chapter for the deceased’s loved ones. It will be the best event to say goodbye to the loved one. As a Catholic country, you also need to know that it is common to have a priest bless the deceased. In most cases, you may also want to hold a mass. The family members, friends, and other significant people may also need to provide a eulogy for the deceased. It may take some time to plan everything in advance, so you don’t have any issues in the future.
You also need to know that during this COVID-19 pandemic, the mass gatherings are not permitted. The services are created to connect families for the memorial service. Therefore, you can consider having an online memorialization service. You can find this type of service in St.Peter’s eLibing for the funeral process. This is a complimentary service that is offered by the St. Peter church for the benefits of the friends and family members of the deceased. This online ritual will also be useful for people who want to wish the best one for their loved ones, but they cannot come home during the final rites and interment.
