
Introduction
When considering a funeral home, can you change your mind? Arranging a funeral can feel overwhelming, not least because it involves the loss of a loved one. Additionally, arranging a funeral is not something most people do frequently, making it difficult to compare different funeral homes. How can you determine what to expect, and how do you ensure it aligns with your wishes?
There are numerous stories of families feeling wronged by funeral homes—whether due to poor service, unexpected costs, or other issues.
If you’re just beginning this process, what is the initial step?
Shop Around
Like any other service, it pays to shop around. Even if someone recommends a particular funeral home, it can be beneficial to speak with other providers as well.
Having a conversation won’t cost you anything beyond your time, and you are under no obligation to choose them. You may find a better personal connection with someone else, or discover that the costs are significantly different from your expectations.
Sometimes, only by meeting in person can you discern if a funeral home is the right fit for you.
Occasionally, a firm may have the best advertising or flashes outlay, but it just doesn’t work for you.
Can you change your mind?
Yes!
I recently had a family approach me after they had pre-planned with another funeral home. The initial price they were quoted kept increasing, leading them to seek our services.
In their case, this was before the loved one had passed, and no specific arrangements had yet been made by the other funeral home, other than initial planning.
On another occasion, I met with a family and thought we had finalized their wishes. However, while en route to collect the deceased from the hospital morgue, I received a call informing me that they had changed their minds.
It’s tempting to second-guess the reasons behind their decision. Did I do something wrong? You may never know, or they may choose to explain it to you. My belief is that this process is about the family’s wishes, not mine. If that means they decide to go elsewhere, that’s perfectly fine. I hope they find satisfaction in their choice.
I also encountered a family who met with a funeral director after the death of their loved one. As they discussed arrangements, they felt uncomfortable with how the director was handling things. They had to express their dissatisfaction and choose another director instead.
Conclusion
Changing your mind is entirely possible. It’s essential that you feel comfortable with the people you select, even for the simplest funeral arrangements. Trust your instincts.
Today, more individuals are becoming specific about their wishes. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ funeral. What matters to others may not matter to you.
SDF was founded to offer a distinct alternative to other funeral homes, focusing on minimizing expenses while streamlining the process for families.
It doesn’t suit everyone, but for some it is exactly what they wanted.