When you have to plan a funeral for a loved one, the process can feel overwhelming as there are so many things to consider. You are likely trying to carry out the wishes of the departed, honour them in the way the family feels is best, and also cope with your own grief.
At this time, you need to be able to ask for help, and you may also be thinking about what will happen when your own family are in the same position when you pass. Many people consider their own funeral preplanning in terms of what can be decided and done in advance to ease the financial burden.
However, there are a slew of decisions to be made when planning a funeral, so taking a moment to explore what kind of send-off you might want one day may make that time much less stressful for your family.
At The Natural Funeral Company, we are here to help in any way we can, and here we have compiled a list of some considerations and guidelines you might find useful if you want to be a part of the planning process for your own funeral.
Read on to discover our top five considerations and guidelines for funeral preplanning and get some insight into how doing some things now can remove stress for your loved ones – and how it can even be empowering for you to take charge of this process.
The Financial Side of Funeral Preplanning
Obviously, this is the most practical consideration to take care of when you are preplanning a funeral. While there are many levels of pricing when it comes time to plan, most people want the very best for their loved ones. In order to ensure the grieving family is not put under financial stress at a time when they need to be putting their energy into supporting each other, it is wise to look into setting up a funeral trust – at any age.
What is a Funeral Trust?
You set up a funeral trust for yourself or your entire family to ensure that all the financial considerations will be taken care of when the time comes. This works by making an initial deposit into the trust, and then you can add to it; the trustee invests the money in low-risk, short-term investments, and when the money needs to be accessed, it becomes available immediately.
Choosing a Trustee
It is very important to choose a reputable trustee when you are preplanning your funeral. You will also need an up-to-date will, and you should appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney, someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf.
Keeping Your Will Updated
This is one of the most important considerations when you are preplanning your funeral. You can use your will to sort out bequests and clear up your legal affairs, and you can also add a more personal section where you lay out exactly what you would like to happen at your funeral. You should keep it somewhere secure and ensure that people in your family know where to find it when the time comes.
Your Interment
When you are looking at funeral preplanning arrangements, the method of interment is a significant consideration. Letting people know in advance whether you want to be buried or cremated removes a huge burden of stress off the shoulders of those who are tasked with planning your funeral.
Coffins, Caskets & Urns
There are many different options in terms of coffins, caskets and urns, and if you can decide on what is important before it becomes necessary to choose, you can be assured that your wishes will be met. Lots of people now want to be sure that their funeral is taken care of in ecologically sound ways, and at The Natural Funeral Company, we embrace this approach.
Having Your Ashes Scattered
Alongside financial considerations and the importance of a will, you may be considering having your ashes scattered if you opt for a cremation rather than a burial. Deciding in advance where you want your ashes scattered or making it clear where you want them to be placed can allow this process to go smoothly at a stressful time.
Some people like to share ashes within the family, or there may be a very special place you want to choose for your final resting place. In any case, making sure that information is readily available is going to make things easier.
Preplanning Details
There are a myriad of details that go into planning a funeral. You want the day to be reflective of the personality and the wishes of the person being laid to rest, so those details can be very important. Preplanning things such as which music you want to be played during the service, where you want the service to be held, and who you want to be informed about the time and date of the funeral are things that can be preplanned and added into the will.
Lots of people plan their funerals down to the last detail, and this can make the day a really authentic celebration of a life, as the nearest and dearest are able to feel the presence of their loved one in the types of readings, the chosen music – all the way to favourite food being served at the wake.
Start Today
Deciding to take charge of funeral preplanning can be an empowering moment for lots of people. Deciding on these details allows loved ones to experience and celebrate the unique personality of someone who has passed and also allows them to lean into the grieving process in healthy ways without a lot of stress being placed on key family members to make tricky and confusing decisions in a heartbreaking moment.
Contact Us
Get in touch with The Natural Funeral Company today if you want to look into funeral preplanning.
We can help you plan all the details that are important to you, and our team is experienced, compassionate and discreet.
