Preplanning: The Time Is Now

Many people put it off because they think that preplanning their own funeral arrangements is far too morbid and depressing. While there may be some more pleasant ways to spend your time, getting this done will give you peace of mind and will be a great service to your loved ones.

There are many reasons that make preplanning your funeral arrangements an excellent idea. Let's examine just a few.

Alleviate the Burden on Your Loved Ones

When a family member passes away, the intense grief, shock and sadness make it a very difficult time for the survivors. The added stress of having to organize and plan all the details of the funeral arrangements can become just too overwhelming for many. That burden simply doesn’t exist when the funeral arrangements have been preplanned.

Planning the details of the funeral has also been known to be the source of some tension and conflict among the survivors who may have different ideas of what would be most appropriate.

Avoid Expensive Emotional Decisions

People who are overcome with grief are sometimes prone to plan a more lavish and expensive memorial service then you might have wanted as a way to express their own sadness. When the arrangements are all made ahead of time, on the other hand, that risk of overspending is eliminated.

Cost Savings

We know that, due to inflation, the price of just about everything goes up steadily over the course of time. By pre-paying for your funeral arrangements, you will be securing today's prices, which can represent some substantial savings for your heirs.

The Service That You Want

There is no better way to make sure your wishes are followed than to make the arrangements yourself. You may have spoken with your family about what you would like as a memorial after you pass. Perhaps, you've mentioned in conversation with your family whether you would prefer a burial or a cremation.

But, unless you have planned them in detail and made the arrangements yourself, there is a risk that your wishes may be overlooked, forgotten or simply open to interpretation. Most every funeral director will confirm that phrases like "a small, low key service" can mean vastly different things from one person to the next.

Sure, it isn't a task you will relish, but once you have made your preplanned funeral arrangements, you'll be glad you did. You have to peace of mind of knowing that it will not be a burden to your loved ones during a difficult time, it will be exactly as you wish it to be and will be done economically.