Losing a loved one can trigger a very stressful time in someone’s life, especially if they are tasked with planning and holding that loved one’s funeral. In addition to grieving, they have to decide on the big details about the decedent’s funeral and their final resting place. And having to make those decisions can raise a lot of questions. Should they be cremated or buried? Will they be embalmed or refrigerated? And when exactly do you have to hold the service after your loved one’s death?
When should you have the service after the death of a loved one?
In the U.S., funerals typically happen within three to seven days after a loved one’s death. One week generally gives family and friends time to gather to say goodbye to the decedent. However, these numbers are based on an embalmed or refrigerated decedent. Embalming or refrigeration slows the decomposition process, so an embalmed or refrigerated person can have a funeral up to a week after their death.
If you don’t want to embalm your loved one, when do you have to have the service?
It’s estimated that 50 percent of people in the United States are embalmed, but what about everyone else? There is no federal law that requires people to be embalmed, and any funeral home stating that there is one is breaking the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule. However, each state does have specific rules about when a person must be cremated or buried if they’re not embalmed. Depending on what state you’re in, you may have less time to bury or cremate than you think. It’s crucial to be familiar with your state’s laws before making any plans, as you may only have one day to hold the funeral before having to bury your loved one. It’s worth noting that if your loved one has to travel across state lines after death to reach their funeral and final resting place, they will likely have to be embalmed.
However, some people may choose to avoid embalming or their religion may require that they not embalm. Refrigeration is another option to delay a funeral and slow the decomposition process, though embalming is generally considered more effective. Most funeral homes have refrigerated storage for families who choose not to embalm. It’s best to talk to a funeral director about your options for taking care of your loved one while you plan their funeral as they may be able to provide more specifics on their refrigeration or embalming processes.
But generally, when you work with a funeral home, your loved one will be refrigerated for between eight and 24 hours before embalming. If you don’t want to embalm at all, most mortuaries offer short-term refrigeration, which can allow you to delay the funeral for up to two weeks. Always check with your state law to be sure that refrigeration is considered a suitable alternative to embalming and will allow you to delay the burial or cremation process.
If you choose to cremate your loved one before their funeral, you don’t need to worry much about timing. In that case, you have far more time to plan the service since it’s not dependent upon the condition of the loved one. Some people may even choose to have the funeral a month after the loved one’s death if they were cremated.
How long does it take to plan a funeral?
How quickly a funeral must happen after a loved one’s death is one of many reasons why pre-planning your funeral is a significant gift that you can give your family. When you pre-plan your funeral, you’re essentially giving your family a blueprint for the big questions that take so much time debating and answering otherwise. Should the service be religious or secular? What kind of music should be played when? Is there something your loved one would have preferred instead of flowers, like donations to a beloved charity? When your family already has those questions answered for them, there’s less stress and time involved in the planning process, making seven days seem like plenty of time to make a funeral happen.
If your loved one did not pre-plan their funeral, that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan one in seven days. In fact, with the help of an experienced funeral director, you can plan a funeral in just hours. Working with a funeral home’s staff can take some of the stress out of planning, and they’ll be able to guide you toward creating an event that celebrates who your loved one was.
Planning and hosting a funeral can be a very trying experience. While working through your grief, you wonder whether you’re making the right decisions for your loved one. If your loved one did not pre-plan their funeral, it could feel like there’s an enormous weight on your shoulders. Working with a funeral director can help alleviate some of that stress and ensure that, whether it happens in one day, seven, or 14, you’re holding a funeral that’s a true celebration of who your loved one was.
www.smithfamilycares.com
Smith Family Funeral Homes provides quality funeral, memorial and cremation services to the families of Central Arkansas. Their six locations can be found in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Westbrook, Sherwood, Benton and Arkadelphia. With a privately-owned crematory operated by licensed professionals, Smith Family Funeral Homes can guarantee their high standard of care throughout the cremation process. To learn more, visit smithfamilycares.com.
FAQs
A standard funeral can be up to about 2 weeks after the date of death. If the body is cremated, the family can wait as long as they'd like, but most are done within a month at the latest. If the deceased is already buried or cremated, a memorial service can be held at any later date.
How soon after death should you have a memorial service? ›
Today's bereaved have more flexibility when it comes to planning and scheduling a cremation, funeral, or memorial service. In the U.S. the services typically take place between 3 and 7 days after the death.
How long after death do you have service? ›
When to have a funeral after the death of a loved one. A funeral is typically held around one or two weeks after the death, though it may be longer if the funeral director only has certain days available or if there is an inquest into the death.
How long can you delay a funeral after death? ›
If you don't want to embalm at all, most mortuaries offer short-term refrigeration, which can allow you to delay the funeral for up to two weeks.
How long is too long for a memorial service? ›
When and how soon after my loved one dies can we arrange a memorial service? To allow for thorough planning, memorial services usually take place more than three weeks following a death, and in some cases, several months later.
How long after someone passes do you have a celebration of life? ›
Funeral vs. celebration of life
| Funeral | Celebration of life |
|---|
| Timing | Within a week after death. | Any time; can be months or years after death. |
| Dress code | Formal. | Informal. |
| Tone | A traditional mourning ritual. | A positive commemoration. |
| Location | Funeral home or place of worship. | Park, home or other significant location. |
Oct 3, 2023
Why do you have to wait 3 days to cremate a body? In the United States, the law requires that a body must be held for three days before it can be cremated. This waiting period gives family and friends time to plan a funeral or memorial service.
How soon after death should a body be embalmed? ›
If the body is not buried or cremated within 24–48 hours, it must be refrigerated or embalmed.
How soon after death can you be cremated? ›
How long after you die are you cremated? In most cases, you will have to wait somewhere between 24 and 72 hours after death before a body can be cremated. Certain paperwork is required and may take several business days to obtain.
Is it normal to wait 2 weeks for a funeral? ›
A funeral is normally held at least one or two weeks after the death, even though it may be longer when the funeral director only has particular days accessible or if there's an inquest into the death. You may like your loved one to be buried as soon as possible, depending on their religious beliefs.
In the absence of embalming within 24 hours, it is not advised to embalm the body immediately. A morgue can preserve a body for one week at most. About a week passes before embalmed bodies decompose. About a week passes before embalmed bodies decompose.
How soon can a funeral be after a death? ›
In some circ*mstances it can take a little longer, for example, if the death has to be looked into by the coroner, but generally the funeral will take place within one-to-two weeks, allowing the family of the deceased and the funeral director adequate time to plan and make arrangements.
What to do immediately after a loved one dies? ›
Immediate Steps to Take When a Loved One Dies
- Getting a legal pronouncement of death. ...
- Arranging for the body to be transported. ...
- Making arrangements for the care of dependents and pets.
- Contacting others including:
- Making final arrangements. ...
- Getting copies of the death certificate.
A surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, unmarried child, or dependent parent may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased worker's earnings. In addition, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be made to a qualifying spouse or child if they meet certain requirements.
What debts are not forgiven at death? ›
Additional examples of unsecured debt include medical debt and most types of credit card debt. If you die with unsecured debt, repayment becomes the responsibility of your estate.
When should you show up for a memorial service? ›
Attendees are advised to arrive to the venue early – at least 15 minutes before the memorial service starts. Once you arrive to the funeral home or house of worship, death and grief experts recommend finding a seat right away or briefly offering your condolences to the family should they be available.
Can you have a memorial service years later? ›
These services can happen at any time following a death — some families even choose to host multiple services over the years, at key times, such as milestone birthdays.
What is the etiquette for a celebration of life? ›
That said, the celebration of life etiquette and order of events is unique and you will likely see something quite different from the typical funeral or memorial services. You are expected to dress casually, bring a gift or two, participate in bonding activities, and raise your glass in a toast to the dearly departed.
What is the difference between a memorial service and a celebration of life? ›
A memorial service is typically focused around a recent loss and often has religious underpinnings or overtones. A life celebration is generally centered on the joy of having been blessed by the departed person's presence and is often nonreligious in nature.
