Hi, All. Time for a new experience,

[TreasonousBastard]

2. When my mother died last year, the funeral home was a great help...

in getting me through the mysteries of funerals. They'll know about the best flower people, which hotels have "funeral specials" and other minutiae you have to deal with. If in doubt, ask...

If he was religious, it's your choice whether or not to have a church service in addition to the funeral service, but you don't have to. You don't really have to have a funeral service at all, but most people do have something, if only to get everyone together at one time. Usually, you try to do what the departed would have wanted, and it may even be in the will, if there's a will.

Not everyone can make it to a funeral on short notice, so a memorial service in a couple of months is often planned in addition to or instead of a funeral service.