No one likes to think about the end of their life; however, it is inevitable and so should be planned for. Pre-planned funerals can give family members peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of. It can also give you peace of mind knowing that your final wishes will be carried out accordingly. Here are just a few benefits of planning ahead:
Choose How You Want to be Remembered
You have complete control over how you want to be remembered, and how you want the service to go. You can even write your own obituary. Funeral directors will help put everything down on paper and keep a record of what you want. You can also meet with your Pastor/Religious leader to discuss specific hymns and passages to recite. Everything can be planned to the last detail, including:
- Hymns/songs
- Charities
- Poems/readings
- Burial/cremation
- Casket/urn
- Flowers
- Pallbearers
- Refreshments after the service
Make it Easier on Your Family
Your family members will be grieving – having to make all of the arrangements will add an enormous amount of stress and pressure. When you have pre-planned arrangements, all they need to do is meet with the funeral directors and set the time/date. They will take care of everything else, as they will have a copy of your final wishes. They will guide your family through the next few days, as they prepare to say goodbye.
Protection From Rising Funeral Costs
Funerals are not immune to rising costs and inflation. Paying now will likely cost less than having to pay in the future. That could save your family a lot of money. Funeral directors can guide you towards locking in your cost now.
If you're married, consider planning your funerals together with your spouse. If you have children, you may want to express your wishes so they are aware of what you want. You can even ask for their input and ideas. Be aware, though, that some people may not be comfortable with this, and that's okay. Don't pressure your family to help. This is your decision and you have the right to be remembered any way you wish.
Most funeral homes offer pre-planning checklists and some even offer online planning options. You can get as detailed as you like. Before making any final decisions sit down and think about what you want and how you want to be honoured. The funeral directors will take it from there.
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