Last week, I discussed the different vehicles that one could use in the state of New Jersey to pre-pay one’s funeral. But, what are the emotional benefits in pre-planning a funeral?

Making your wishes known to your loved ones in advance helps to relieve the emotional and overwhelming burden that one would face at the time of your passing. It is estimated that there are about 250 separate decisions involved within the first 24 hours of planning a funeral, and that most of these could have been made in advance.

In addition, preplanning a funeral would ensure that you and your family are on the same page with reference to how you want to be remembered or memorialized at the time of your passing.

Some funeral homes offer special services to help cherish your loved one’s memory or assist families through the grieving process. For instance, some funeral homes offer a tree planting program where you could plant a tree in your loved one’s memory. Other funeral homes offer unique programs that guide children through the funeral process through stories, pictures, discussion, peer support, and craft activities.

Knowing that preplanning a funeral would allow you the time to research your options, you may want to think about the following:

Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the funeral will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held. They also influence whether the body will be present at the funeral, if there will be a viewing or visitation, and if so, whether the casket will be open or closed, and whether the remains will be buried or cremated.

Among the choices you'll need to make are whether you want one of these basic types of funerals, or something in between.

The "traditional" funeral, usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and burial, entombment or cremation of the remains. It is generally the most expensive type of funeral. In addition to the funeral home's basic services fee, costs often include embalming and dressing the body; rental of the funeral home for the viewing or service; and use of vehicles to transport the family if they don't use their own. The costs of a casket, cemetery plot or crypt and other funeral goods and services also must be factored in.

The Direct Burial is where the body is buried shortly after death. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside or later. Direct burial usually costs less than the "traditional," full-service funeral. Costs include the funeral home's basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body, the purchase of a casket or burial container and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee for a graveside service.

The Direct Cremation is where the body is cremated shortly after death, without embalming. No viewing or visitation is involved, although a memorial service may be held, with or without the cremated remains present. The remains can be kept in the home, buried or placed in a crypt or niche in a cemetery, or buried or scattered in a favorite spot. Direct cremation usually costs less than the "traditional," full-service funeral. Costs include the funeral home's basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body. A crematory fee may be included or, if the funeral home does not own the crematory, the fee may be added on. There also will be a charge for an urn or other container. The cost of a cemetery plot or crypt is included only if the remains are buried or entombed.

Most importantly, the funeral provider is required by law to give you a general price list itemizing the cost of the items and services the home offers. If the general price list does not include specific prices of caskets or outer burial containers, the law requires the funeral director to show you the price lists for those items before showing you the items.

Thank you to Michele L. Miller, advanced funeral planning director, for her contributions to this article.Any additional questions? Contact Michele L. Miller from McGuiness Funeral Home at 1-800-993-0888 for more information.Also, log on to the NJSFDA’s website at https://www.njfds.com/public/ for more information.