A funeral home search need not be a difficult or wrenching process. But it is important to have the right resources.

Ask for referrals from friends and relatives who can help you to sort through funeral home listings.  

Next, go online and use a good online funeral home directory to link through to their websites to examine their offerings. (Cremation.com has the most complete online resource for funeral home listings and cremation providers.)

Next, pick your two or three top choices, make appointments and visit. Look for a friendly, engaging relationship with the staff. Can they "connect" with you on the things you want whether it includes a simple, direct cremation or a casketed visitation, followed by a full funeral, cremation later and, perhaps, a private committal service afterwards.

Pricing is important, but value and your satisfaction trumps what some firms offer.  

Start small; create a file that contains the details your survivors will need.  Gather the necessary information, papers, etc. and make copies, put them in that file. A good funeral planning checklist can be a big help. (Link to article)

Once you have done that, don't stop there. This next item is probably the most important: discuss this with your family. What good are any arrangements if no one knows they exist? Give your family a copy of your arrangements and important papers in a duplicate "Upon my death". Now you are ready for the final step. Decide which level of funeral planning is right for you and your family. Planning your funeral doesn't have to include paying for it in advance. Many people plan long before they decide to actually prefinance and enter into a contract.

Having sorted through the funeral home listing using your funeral home directory, you can be sure that your funeral home search has given you confidence that you have made a good choice.