Planning a funeral for a loved one who is unable to do the planning independently or who is already deceased can feel overwhelming. However, you can make things easier on yourself by being aware of the common pitfalls and avoiding them. The following are six common mistakes to avoid when you're planning a funeral for a loved one:

Neglecting to refer to the loved one's wishes as the authority

It's easier to plan a funeral for a loved one when a will has already been created that details the loved one's wishes. If there is a will, make sure you familiarize yourself with it and adhere to all the terms detailed within.

If you have no will to refer to, do the best you can to plan things out to adhere to what your loved one would have wanted. Ask around for the opinion of friends and family members on what your loved one would have preferred in terms of burial and memorial service details. 

Neglecting to make a list of the details to look into

There are a lot of details that go into planning out a funeral. The only way to make sure that you address all the pertinent details in your planning efforts is if you brainstorm and make a list of all the preparation tasks you need to take care of so that you don't overlook anything.

Failing to ask around about scheduling to ensure good attendance

When it comes to funeral planning, one of the most important things you need to do is maximize attendance. This means that you want to schedule any funeral or memorial service so that as many friends and family members can make it as possible. 

As the funeral planner, you should do some research about scheduling issues to maximize attendance. 

Being unfamiliar with typical costs

Don't underestimate how much funeral costs can add up to. You need to be aware of the funds available to cover funeral expenses. You need to also work to bring expenses down where possible if funds are limited.

Remember that the average funeral can cost over $7,000. Work within your budget to avoid having to cut into the estate assets of your loved one to cover funeral expenses. 

Forgoing the obituary or newspaper announcement

These days, obituaries are paid announcements of the death of an individual who is either a present or past resident of the area.

While obituaries cost money, they are necessities to get the word out about the death of your loved one. Make sure you factor obituaries into your funeral announcement plans. 

Becoming too emotional about the ordeal

It's important to be practical and collected when planning for funeral arrangements. If you become too emotional, you may overlook important details and go overboard with spending.

Get in touch with a funeral home, such as Naples Funeral Home Inc, for help planning your loved one's service.