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A funeral represents a purposeful opportunity to reflect on the meaning of a life that has been lived and to determine the impact of .that meaning for family and friends. There is no single proper funeral service. It is a time for human sharing in its deepest sense" (National Selected Morticians [NSM], 1996).
The person who has died and the survivors are at the very center of this process of funeral planning. The choices survivors make will determine the significance of the funeral for them. Participation in the planning of the funeral service helps to create a meaningful experience for everyone. Sound decisions are based on having good information to work with and a funeral director who can help provide a climate that encourages each person to give and receive emotional support. What follows are some brief guidelines to help survivors with some of the decisions that must be made.
Funeral directors are the source of specific knowledge of regional customs and laws regarding funeral practices and can assist with questions and help survivors implement their wishes. One of the professional organizations for funeral directors is National Selected Morticians, based in Northbrook, Illinois. This group publishes several pamphlets for consumers. A...