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(ARA) – It’s a difficult subject to bring up. No one likes to think about the time when they’ll no longer be here. But truth be told, everyone will need a funeral some day. Without planning ahead, they can be stressful, expensive and filled with disagreements. Or you can create a celebration of life where loved ones come together to reflect on a life well lived, without the pressure of quick decisions and worries about expense. How can you accomplish this? Through preplanning, which allows you not only the opportunity to create the type of memorial and burial that fits your beliefs and preferences, but to also put your family first by taking away the anxiety caused by guessing what you might have wanted. Planning a life celebration is a priceless gift of security, compassion and care for those we love.
Under a cloud of sorrow and time constraints, family members are often overwhelmed and uncertain of the decisions that need to be made: Did Dad want a traditional funeral or did he want to be cremated and have his ashes scattered at the lake? What music would Mom want played? Who will preside at the service? Making the dozens of decisions that arise when someone passes away can be nerve-racking.
Another point to consider is that family members often have differing ideas and opinions that can escalate during such an emotional and exhausting time. And in today’s world of blended families, preplanning can save children, step-children and extended family from disagreements about which cemetery, who will read a eulogy and who pays for what.
“While no one likes to contemplate their own death, it is an important topic,” says Guideon Richeson, funeral director and general manager of Lake View Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, Ill. “Having those final arrangements taken care of is a gift to your family - and yourself. It’s the best way to ensure that things are taken care of in the manner you wish.”
In an effort to “make the right choice,” loved ones often spend far more for products and services than they normally would. When the wishes of a loved one are known, family and friends may be prevented from emotional over-spending in their rush to “pick something nice.” Planning ahead enables comparison shopping without time constraints, facilitates the family discussion of important final arrangement decisions and removes some of the burden from loved ones.
One of the best ways to preplan is to sit down and put your thoughts in writing. Look for a fill-in-the-blank guide that will lead you through all the decisions that need to be made and provide a place for important information, such as the Personal Planning Guide from the Dignity Memorial network of funeral and cemetery providers. Offered free of charge, it provides space for couples or individuals to record detailed instructions regarding funeral and cemetery preferences as well as areas to document vital statistics, estate planning information and military service.
For more information, or to find a Dignity Memorial network provider near you, visit www.dignitymemorial.com or call (800)-DIGNITY.
Courtesy of ARA Content
