Just as some people like to plan out their wedding day long before they've even met their future spouse, some people find it reassuring to plan out their funeral far in advance of their own death. Finding a funeral home and discussing your plans with the director can be the first step toward realizing your vision.
There are quite a few advantages to pre-planning your funeral. If you have a vision of what your ideal funeral would be like, this is a way of ensuring that vision comes true. If you have specific requirements for a funeral, such as those dictated by religious or spiritual beliefs, you can be sure those requirements will be met. And financially, some funeral homes will allow you to lock in prices in advance as well. Working with a funeral home such as Thomas Funeral Chapels Inc can offer many benefits.
Consult Those Close To You
Another advantage to pre-planning your funeral is that it makes things easier for your friends or family. Losing a loved one is stressful; if the deceased has already planned out their funeral, however, that's one less thing that will need to be taken care of during that stressful time.
The other side of this is that, although it's your funeral, in many ways the funeral is for those left behind. By involving those close to you in your funeral plans, you can help them grieve in the way they want to. Decisions like whether to have a viewing, who will speak at the service, what sort of music will be played, and even whether the overall tone will be more somber or celebratory — these are all things that your loved ones may want to be involved in.
There Are Advantages To Flexibility
No one knows the future for sure, so it's a good idea to plan for multiple possibilities. If you want an open casket, consider whether there are any circumstances where you might change your mind. If you have a particular casket you want, also choose a few alternatives in case it's not available; even better, describe the type and design of casket you want so that the best option can be picked no matter what is available.
You can certainly be very specific in what you want, but it's helpful to also describe why. If your first choice for floral arrangements, for instance, is white daisies, why is that? Does the plain and natural look appeal to you, or is it the association with spring and renewal? Knowing that will help the funeral director and your family to choose an appropriate alternative if your first choice can't be obtained.
Other Important Plans
Pre-planning your funeral is also an excellent opportunity to make other important end-of-life plans. Writing out a will can ensure that your assets are distributed how you want them to be. And a living will, or advanced care directive, will help your loved ones know your wishes if you become ill or incapacitated. By taking care of as much as you can now, you can help reduce the pressure on your loved ones later, giving them the space to grieve.
Share19 March 2015
Following the death of my grandfather, I found myself in the awkward position of having to write the obituary. I wanted to capture the spirit of him and list everything he was proud of in his life, including his family and work accomplishments. However, at the same time, I knew that I had a limited amount of space to work with. After spending hours researching obituaries, I finally felt confident in my skills and proceeded to write my grandfather's. In my opinion, it was perfect. Writing an obituary while you are grieving your loss is challenging, but I hope that my website helps you write one for your loved one that helps capture who they were as a person.