Pre-planning a funeral

Pre-planning a funeral for a loved one is a difficult and often upsetting process. However, it is important to remember that your loss can be made slightly more bearable if you and your loved one have pre-planned your funeral beforehand. You never know when you may fall ill or have an accident so it is best to be prepared.

Pre-planning a funeral is important

Most of us have a last will and testament to dictate our last wishes so why not make it clear what you would like at your funeral service. As well as ensuring you have the funeral you wanted it will lift a burden off your family and loved ones.

Understanding their wishes

Planning a funeral without prior discussion as to what your loved one wanted can cause you a massive amount of stress at a time when you are grieving, Most of us will know whether our loved one wanted a religious or non-religious service but when it comes to cremation or burial, readings, hymns, music, flowers and cars, do you really know what your loved ones want? It is these finer points of the funeral planning that often leave families confused and distressed.

Pre-planning a funeral helps your family

As depressing as it may seem, pre-planning your funeral is something that we should all consider doing. It will be comforting for you to know that your last impression on this world is going to be everything you wanted it to be. It may also help your loved ones with their grief as they may take an immense amount of comfort from knowing they are carrying out your final wishes. It should give you great reassurance that you can lift this burden from your grieving loved ones.

Detailed plans or a basic outline?

How much or how little you plan of your funeral is entirely up to you. Only you know what is most important to you. Some people like to plan every detail from the largest to the smallest, including cost. Many people like to ensure that the cost of their funeral is taken care of so that their loved ones do not have to be concerned with financial issues. However, others just like to have chosen the type of service they want and choose the hymns or music they want.

Put your wishes in writing

The best way to make your plan is to either have it written down and given to your loved ones to open in the event of your death or in your will. However, be aware that if you put your funeral wishes in your will, you will need to make sure this is made clear to your loved ones as often wills are not looked at until after a funeral has taken place.