As Christians we need not be afraid of death, of talking about it or preparing for it. Throughout the Christian Year we are reminded time and time again of the uncertainty of life and, at the same time, the certainty of Christ's power over the final enemy, death. To be a responsible, faithful Christian is to be ready, prepared for life in Christ now and the life to come. You may wish to refer to the service of Burial of the Dead on page 469 of the Book of Common Prayer for an overview of the funeral service. The decision of whether you will choose full body burial or cremation is a factor in selecting the appropriate funeral services company.
Most mortuaries also provide cremation and also extra services that include a personal touch.
Cremation societies deal strictly with cremation and can operate on a lower cost base. Remember that you are dealing with a business. Know what you want before you buy in order to make a balanced decision that takes both personal needs and finances into consideration. Some mortuaries offer package deals, others charge for individual services requested. If you choose full body burial, be aware of the wide range of the cost of a casket, an additional cost to basic services.