Bradley and Son Funeral Homes - Serving New Jersey - funerals, cremations, caskets, vaults, urns, and cemetery monuments

The Arrangement Conference

AT YOUR HOME OR OURS, WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE ARRANGEMENTS IN ADVANCE OR AT THE TIME OF DEATH.

Arrangements made in advance or at the time of need take an average of 2 hours, but can be as short as one hour, or as long as three hours. Allocate enough time so you are not rushed. You do not want to regret later that too much or too little was done.

Please get some nourishment before arriving for arrangements, and bring something to drink if you would like.

Arrangements, especially at the time of a death are emotionally and psychologically taxing. We highly encourage all family to attend. Experience has shown that people who try to handle everything on his or her own take much longer to adjust to a death.

After the Arrangement Conference

Make arrangements with the officiate to finalize ceremony procedures
Notify family and friends of gathering times
Gather clothing, jewelry, pictures, etc (if not done so already)
Notify pallbearers
Search for special readings, passages and music for the services
Gather other items to personalize the visiting or ceremony space (create a warm, intimate space)
Arrange for flowers if the funeral home has not done so for you
Finalize travel arrangements for out of town guests
Arrange for a reception or repast
Review literature we have provided
Notify police and neighbors to watch the house while out

Personalizing the Arrangements
We want to make the service as individual as the individual, which is why we offer families a chance to personalize the arrangements. While we may deal with death on a daily basis, we never forget that completing all the arrangements if a funeral service is a task most families face only a few times. You can rely upon us to work closely with you to arrange a service in keeping with your own traditions, and well within your financial means. We'll coordinate with your clergy, the cemetery, and with all other parties to alleviate the stress on your family.

Our intention is to help make every service personal, meaningful and truly reflective of the life that has been lived. For example, your service may be enriched by the reading of a favorite poem; it may be enhanced by the soft glow of candlelight or with memory tables to honor the life of your loved one. We will help you enhance the service by setting up personal items, special hobbies and interest items, favorite clothes, pictures, etc. You may personalize it with a special musical selection, with family photographs or other memorabilia.

You may desire a visitation, or you may prefer a private family gathering. We can also help you select from many kinds of services. Whether you choose a religious ceremony with a traditional burial, a humanistic service with a scattering of cremated remains, or any other choice, we can take care of all of the necessary plans.

Next Step: Choices in Cremation
or
Next Step: After the Funeral