Arranging a Funeral. Step 9-17: Personalising the Service & Ceremony
At Rounce Funeral Services, we understand the importance of making a funeral truly reflect the life of your loved one. From selecting meaningful flowers and music to arranging unique tributes and transportation, we provide gentle guidance at every step. Whether honouring traditions or adding personal touches, we are here to support you in creating a service that is dignified, heartfelt, and memorable.
9. Thoughtful Flower Arrangements for a Meaningful Tribute
At Rounce Funeral Services, we recognise the significance of flowers in expressing sympathy and honouring a loved one. Our range of Funeral Flowers offers a meaningful tribute, from traditional sprays that beautifully adorn the coffin to hand-tied sheaves, hearts, pillows, posies, and bespoke arrangements. These can be tailored to your preferences, whether for direct delivery to the funeral service or placement on the coffin itself.
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We encourage families to consider using locally grown, seasonal flowers, which not only reduce the environmental impact but also add a personal touch to the arrangements. Each floral tribute is crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring that your sentiments are conveyed in a thoughtful and beautiful way during this difficult time. Choose our floral offerings to help create a meaningful farewell that reflects your heartfelt emotions.
10. Donations to a Chosen Charity in Memory of Your Loved One
At Rounce Funeral Services, we understand that many families wish to honour their loved one’s memory by supporting a cause close to their heart. If you would like to request donations to a chosen charity in lieu of flowers, we can assist in making this process simple and meaningful. Whether you want to include the charity details on the service sheet or communicate the option to mourners directly, we are here to help facilitate this thoughtful tribute.
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Mourners can send their donations directly to us, and we will ensure that all contributions are forwarded to the charity after the funeral, typically within 4 to 5 weeks to allow time for all donations to be collected. We will also provide you with a list of donors, enabling you to send them a personal thank you. This is a beautiful way to celebrate your loved one’s life and continue their legacy through a charitable contribution.
11. Memory Boards and Tables: Honouring Your Loved One's Legacy
At Rounce Funeral Services, we offer the option to create a memory board or table that displays personal memorabilia, allowing family and friends to reflect on the life of your loved one. This can include photographs, letters, favourite items, or any cherished belongings that highlight their unique personality and interests. Memory boards and tables are a beautiful way to invite guests to celebrate your loved one's life through a visual tribute, offering a space where memories can be shared and remembered.
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Whether displayed at the service or reception, these thoughtful displays offer comfort and connection, helping to bring loved ones together as they reminisce about the special moments shared. We are happy to assist in organising and setting up these personal tributes, ensuring they are a fitting reflection of your loved one’s life and legacy.
12. Unique Tributes: Personalising the Funeral with Live Music and Symbolic Gestures
At Rounce Funeral Services, we understand that every life is unique, and the funeral ceremony should reflect that individuality. Whether you wish to have bagpipes played, a jazz band, or a solo singer performing a meaningful song, we are here to help bring your vision to life.
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Some families choose to release a dove as a symbolic gesture of peace and farewell. This beautiful act can be a moving tribute, offering a sense of closure and tranquillity. Whatever you choose, we are committed to helping you create a ceremony that honours your loved one’s life and legacy in a way that is meaningful to you and your family.
13. Cemetery Arrangements
If you choose burial for your loved one, selecting a suitable burial plot and making cemetery arrangements are key steps in the process. Many families opt for a cemetery with personal or family significance, while others may prefer a location based on religious or cultural traditions.
It’s important to consider factors such as available space, cemetery regulations, and any specific wishes the deceased may have expressed regarding their final resting place. Some cemeteries offer traditional graves, natural burial grounds, or dedicated sections for different faiths.
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Once a burial plot is selected, arrangements need to be made for the grave opening, headstone or memorial placement, and any necessary paperwork. Some families choose to hold a graveside service as part of the funeral, which can include readings, prayers, or moments of reflection.
At Rounce Funeral Services, we can help guide you through the cemetery selection and burial process, ensuring that all arrangements are handled with sensitivity and care.
14. Transportation
Ensuring dignified and respectful transportation for your loved one is an important part of the funeral arrangements. At Rounce Funeral Services, we can help organise a suitable vehicle to take the deceased to the service location and then to the burial site or crematorium.
Many families choose a traditional hearse, but we also offer a range of alternative options to reflect the personality and passions of the deceased.
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If you would like the funeral procession to take a specific route, such as passing by a family home, a favourite place, or a meaningful location, we are happy to accommodate these wishes.
For those looking for something unique, we can arrange a horse-drawn hearse for an elegant and traditional farewell, or a motorcycle hearse for those who had a passion for biking. Additionally, we offer a variety of specialist hearses, including a silver hearse and matching limousines, a trike hearse, a Land Rover Defender 130 hearse, and a VW Transporter Camper hearse.
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For family and friends, we provide a limousine service, ensuring a comfortable and dignified journey. Each limousine seats up to six mourners, allowing close family members to travel together in a private and supportive environment.
Whatever your preference, we will ensure that the journey is carried out with care, respect, and attention to detail.
15. The Role of Pallbearers: Honouring Your Loved One
At Rounce Funeral Services, we understand that some individuals may wish to be pallbearers as a way of honouring and showing respect for their loved one.
Being a pallbearer is a significant and meaningful role, allowing you to actively participate in the farewell and take part in the final journey. If you or family members are considering this, we are here to guide you through the process and ensure everything runs smoothly.
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We provide all necessary support to ensure that the pallbearers are comfortable and prepared for this important role. Our experienced staff will assist in coordinating the timing and logistics, ensuring that the service is conducted with the dignity and respect that your loved one deserves.
Whether you have specific individuals in mind or need assistance in organising the pallbearers, we are here to help every step of the way.
16. Catafalque Curtains: Options for a Meaningful Farewell
At Rounce Funeral Services, we offer flexibility with the catafalque curtains to help create a more personal and comforting atmosphere during the funeral ceremony.
Leaving the curtains open may be less distressing for some and allows mourners the opportunity to touch the coffin as a way to say a final goodbye. This open display can provide a sense of connection and comfort during this emotional time.
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Alternatively, the curtains can be closed during the committal section of the ceremony, offering a more private moment for reflection.
We understand that each family has different preferences, and we are here to accommodate your wishes, ensuring that the ceremony is as meaningful and respectful as possible for everyone involved.
17. Personalising Your Service Sheets for a Meaningful Tribute
A well-designed service sheet helps guests follow the ceremony and serves as a keepsake. We offer a range of options to help you create a tribute that truly reflects your loved ones personality.
First, you can choose a font and title for the front cover, such as "A Celebration of the Life of" or "In Loving Memory." We also provide a variety of cover designs, or you may choose to use your own high-quality photo. If you'd like, you can include a montage of photos on an 8-page service sheet, or opt for a more compact 4-page version. Additionally, a watermark image can be added for a personal touch, which could reflect something significant about your loved one.
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Further personalisation’s include using a nickname or moniker, or including details about a wake or charity donations. If you're hosting refreshments after the service, we can add the venue address to the back of the service sheets for guests’ convenience. We also offer the option to direct guests to a chosen charity for donations, and we can assist with forwarding those donations on your behalf.
Once you've agreed on the order of service with your celebrant or spiritual leader, we’ll draft a copy of the service sheet for your approval. You can make up to three revisions to ensure it meets your expectations. Our service sheets are printed on high-quality materials, with 4-page sheets on 300gsm card and 8-page sheets featuring a combination of 300gsm card and 120gsm paper.