Planning a funeral is one of the hardest things a family will ever have to do. In the midst of grief, the thought of making decisions about services, flowers, food, and other details can feel overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to do it all alone. At Roper & Sons in Lincoln, our caring professionals and community members work side by side with families every day, easing the decisionmaking by helping to create services that are both meaningful and manageable.
In this blog, we highlight many of the aspects that go into planning a funeral or memorial service and who you will work with.
1. Selecting the Funeral Home and Funeral Director
It’s not uncommon for generations of families to work with the same funeral home. Relationships and trust are built up over the years and that provides comfort to families going through a difficult time. Roper & Sons has several funeral home locations in and around Lincoln, each one offering families space for visitations, services, and gatherings. We are here to provide both comfort and structure when you need it most.
The funeral director is often the first point of contact after a loved one’s passing. Think of them as both a guide and coordinator, walking you through every step of planning a funeral service. From securing necessary permits to arranging the logistics and scheduling of the service, our funeral directors are here to ensure all the details are handled with care so you can focus on being there for your family.
2. Coordinating with the Cemetery
If a burial is planned, communication with the cemetery is important so that their staff can help you select a resting place for your loved one, arrange opening and closing of the grave, and coordinate the timing of the burial service. Our funeral directors help to coordinate the scheduling of these details to keep the day of the service running smoothly, removing another layer of concern from you and your family.
3. Choosing Floral Arrangements
Flowers are more than decoration—they’re symbols of love, remembrance, and peace. Whether it’s a spray for the casket, a display for a memorial table, or arrangements for the church or funeral home, a florist will guide you toward something beautiful and meaningful. Families often choose colors or flowers that reflect the personality of their loved one, adding a personal touch to the service. The florist you choose will work closely with our funeral director to ensure that flowers you’ve requested are placed where you want them.
We also offer a convenient, online option for selecting flowers.
4. Arranging for an Officiant
Having someone to lead the service helps bring comfort and direction. Whether it’s a pastor, priest, rabbi, or another officiant, they will often meet with the family ahead of time to learn about your loved one and incorporate special stories, scripture, or religious traditions into the service. Their words can help bring healing during a difficult time.
5. Food and Fellowship Following the Service
Following the burial or memorial service, you may choose to host a reception so that family and friends can come together and share stories, offer support, and celebrate the life of your loved one. Some families keep it simple with light refreshments, while others plan a full meal at a church hall, restaurant, or home. Whatever you choose, the goal is the same—creating space for love, laughter, and memory-sharing.
6. Special Tribute for a Veteran
If your loved one served in the military, arranging for an Honor Guard is a moving way to recognize their service. Our funeral directors are knowledgeable about this and can coordinate with the military to provide honors such as flag presentation, taps, and a formal salute, recognizing the veteran’s service and sacrifice.
7. Other Helpful Partners
There may be other professionals outside of the funeral home you may want to work with, such as a photographer or videographer who can preserve memories of the service for you and for those who were unable to attend the service. Our Creative Director will work closely with you to prepare the program and other details for the service. You may want to set up an area with personal items about your loved one to be on display for all who attend the service. You may also choose to have musicians from the community provide special music and songs during the service.
Our team will also coordinate all transportation needs between the funeral home or church and the cemetery.
While we know there are no words that can ease the pain of loss, our compassionate team of professionals at Roper & Sons Funeral Home are here to lighten your burden and allow you and your family to focus on what matters most—supporting each other as you honor your loved one’s life.
To learn more about how we can help you plan a funeral service, call 402-476-1225.