Millennial Funeral Planning Guide

Millennials are reaching an age where they might want to start thinking about funeral planning. Millennials now age 27-42, which might seem young, but it’s never too early to start planning. A funeral service is specially designed to speak to who you were as an individual and celebrate your life, it can be important to have a plan in place. Also, in the event of a tragedy, having a plan in place can make planning easier for your loved ones. Below, we will discuss funeral planning tips for the millennial generation.

Choosing A Funeral Home

Generally, choosing a funeral home is the first step. The funeral home’s job is to handle the remains and prepare the body for disposition. They also coordinate with the cemetery and/or crematorium to ensure that everything is taken care of. Lastly, the funeral home hosts the wake. Many people choose one that is close to their home or one that their family has used in the past. However, this does not need to be the case. It is perfectly acceptable to shop around and pick a funeral home that is right for you. Find one you are comfortable with, and discuss planning options with a funeral director.

Burial Or Cremation?

More and more people are moving away from burial. In general, cremation is a less expensive option. Cremations are quickly overtaking burials in the US as the preferred option.
Cremation is also the more environmentally friendly option. According to the Sustainable Development Guide from the UN, burials produce roughly 3.6 times more emissions than cremation. This is also before calculating the landscaping and maintenance upkeep done by the cemetery. Overall, cremation is a better option in terms of cost, environmental impact, and land use.

Cremation and Funeral Services

Many people assume that you can’t have a funeral service if you choose cremation. However, this is a misconception. You absolutely can. For many that choose cremation, the choice is between having the service before or after cremation. Choosing to have it before means renting a casket and preparing the body for the service. Otherwise, the service can be done with an urn instead. 

Do I Need a Funeral If I’m Not Religious?

This is a fair question that is not uncommon among the growing number of non-religious people in America. However, funerals are not religious rites. While some people choose to have a funeral service run by a clergy member, it is not uncommon for a funeral director to lead a non-religious funeral. This usually involves calling up the eulogists to speak, or for loved ones to share stories about your life. Remember that funerals are important in helping your loved ones gather and grieve. Coming together to mourn a loss is important in the grieving process, and in easing the suffering of your loved ones. 

Preplanning Helps With Funeral Costs

Preplanning your funeral allows you to steadily pay off the costs of a funeral. This helps you reduce the financial burden of a funeral down the line. If you start funeral planning earlier in life, you can cover the full cost of the funeral long before you pass. Furthermore, your funeral planning specialist can help you finance it in a way that works with your budget. 

What If I Want To Move Away?

If you decide to move to another state or city, you can work with the funeral home to move your preplanning funding to a new funeral home in that area. Your preplanning specialist can help you find a funeral home in your new town, or you can shop for one yourself and transfer it over. While some plans and pricing may change, moving your funeral preplanning can be relatively pain-free.

For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has served the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.