How Do You Plan A Funeral Over The Christmas Period?

Experiencing the loss of a loved one can happen at any time of the year, so you may find yourself facing a decision of whether to have a funeral over the holiday season. Planning for a funeral can be overwhelming and even more so if it’s over a busy period of the year, such as Christmas. However, at Douch Family Funeral Directors we’re here to help, no matter the season. So, in this blog we’ll answer some frequently asked questions to help you with how to plan a funeral over the holiday period.

What to do when a loved one passes away at Christmas?

When a loved one passes away at Christmas, you’ll still be able to get all the help you need from emergency services and funeral directors. You will be able to have support from professionals no matter the time of year, so don’t feel like just because it’s the holiday season you need to do everything yourself. Reach out to a funeral director who can handle funeral arrangements as well as support you with the next steps. If you have others around that are offering their support, it’s okay to let them help, as this will allow you to take some moments for yourself during the difficult time. It’s also important to remember that there is no right way to navigate what to do when someone dies, especially at Christmas, so take it at your own pace.

Are funeral homes open throughout Christmas?

Yes, funeral services and homes are available throughout the holiday period. At Douch Funeral Directors, our team is on hand any time of year, day or night, to support you with planning for a funeral. Funeral homes will have private ambulances over the Christmas period so the person will be cared for as they normally would at any other time of the year.

Some funeral directors may close their offices on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, you will find that you can contact them with any questions you have over the holiday period. It’s also important to remember that all funeral directors always provide private ambulance services, even if their offices are closed.

When can you have a funeral over the Christmas period?

If you decide that you want to plan a funeral service during the Christmas period or the date has fallen during this time, there are some things to consider about the day you choose when planning for a funeral at Christmas. If possible, it’s best to try and avoid a Sunday or the day of the holiday. Venues, and in particular churches, can become busier than usual over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which can make it difficult to make funeral arrangements for this time and potentially impact the cost.

However, you can have a funeral on Christmas Eve if this is something you would like. An alternative is you can also have a funeral service on a Friday or Saturday, which is a good idea to encourage attendance and accommodate people’s schedules as much as possible.

How we can support you over the Christmas period

Here at Douch Funeral Directors, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our personalised funeral service has a variety of purpose-built ceremony rooms that allow you to give your loved one a custom tribute no matter the time of year. We will always put yours and your loved one’s needs first to create a service that celebrates the life and personality of the person who has passed.

For more information or advice on how to plan a funeral or to discuss any questions, please get in touch. Contact our friendly team by calling 01202 367307 or by sending an email to [email protected].