What is the difference between a funeral company and a funeral home? Find out how to choose the best option

When a loved one dies, there are certain concepts that can cause confusion, so it is important to distinguish between them in order to know which services to choose to meet your needs. In this article, Áltima takes a closer look at the difference between a funeral company and a funeral home.

Key differences between funeral companies and funeral homes

What is the difference between a funeral company and a funeral home? These terms are not mutually exclusive, but they cannot be used interchangeably either because they refer to different aspects of the funeral sector.

The main difference between a funeral company and a funeral home is that, in the first case, we are referring to the company in charge of providing funeral services when a person dies, while in the second we are talking about an establishment where all the funeral services are carried out for the deceased person before burial.

Both services have related and complementary functions, but they are different, so we should not confuse the two concepts. A brief summary of the difference between a funeral company and a funeral home can be seen in the following table:

Funeral company

• This is a business responsible for providing funeral services.
• It offers services such as the preparation of the body, the coffin, transfer, wake and cremation, among others.
• It may have additional services such as a cafeteria, car park, etc.

Funeral home

• It is an establishment specialising in funeral services.
• It is the place where the deceased is laid out so that family and friends can bid farewell to their loved one before burial.
• It helps families with legal procedures, permits and other matters.

Naturally, both a funeral company and a funeral home have specialised staff, but the type of professionals in each case may vary depending on the services offered.

Next, we explain in more detail the difference between a funeral home and a funeral company so that you can understand what functions each one fulfils and be able to decide which services may be of interest to you in each case.

Essential functions of a funeral home

A funeral home is a specific physical place where families can hold a wake for a deceased relative before their funeral and burial. The funeral home is located in quiet and respectful surroundings for the final farewell of the deceased. There are usually several wake rooms and also other facilities such as a café, a chapel and a florist's.

These establishments provide funeral services so that the deceased can be honoured. Some of these may include:

• Wake rooms equipped with comfortable furniture. These are private spaces where families can gather to say goodbye to the deceased.
• Chapel for religious or secular ceremonies.
• Cafeteria or restaurant for relatives to have a snack when they need it.
• Reception area for friends and relatives who wish to offer their condolences to the family.

They may also include additional funeral services such as a florist, refrigeration chambers for preserving the body if necessary, or private resting areas for the deceased's immediate family.

Essential functions of a funeral company

The funeral company is the provider of funeral services to the family of a deceased person, and they help to organise all the services related to the death. Essentially, the funeral company handles the entire administrative and logistical process following the death of a person, and therefore plays a fundamental role in the organisation and execution of the funeral services.

A funeral company offers comprehensive support to families, as it fulfils essential functions such as:

• Preparation of the body of the deceased person with techniques such as thanatopraxy, thanatoaesthetics or embalming.
• Providing the coffin.
• Organising the transfer of the body to the funeral home and/or cemetery.
• Advice on legal procedures and handling of the necessary documentation and corresponding permits.
• Emotional support for the family during the process.

So, while the funeral company takes care of the preparation of the body, organising the ceremony and the legal formalities, it is the funeral home that provides the actual space for displaying the deceased and carrying out the funeral ceremony.

Is it necessary for the funeral company and the funeral home to be well coordinated?

Despite the difference between the funeral company and the funeral home, coordination between the two is essential to ensure that all aspects of the funeral service are carried out properly.

Funeral companies and funeral homes must coordinate effectively to provide families with an environment that is appropriate for paying their last respects to their loved one, so it can be done in a sensitive and dignified manner and in an appropriate space to alleviate the grieving process.

How to choose between the services of a funeral company and a funeral home

As we have said, it is essential to be aware of the difference between a funeral company and a funeral home, or the difference between a funeral home and a wake, in order to choose the funeral services that best suit the needs, preferences and budget of each family. How can you make the best decision?

• Evaluate your needs when a loved one dies.
• Think about the location: proximity to the family home, availability of parking, etc.
• Consider funeral companies that can also offer a funeral home service for better coordination and greater convenience.
• Choose companies that allow you to customise services based on your needs.

Planning ahead is the best way to make decisions so that, when the time comes, your loved ones do not have to make any difficult choices or pay large sums of money. Instead, services can be paid for little by little during your lifetime and according to your own wishes.