| |
Planning a Funeral
Unfortunately the planning of a funeral usually comes at a very difficult and emotional time – sometimes following tragic news about a loved one's death or an anticipated death as a result of a long illness. Funeral planning is an important step toward ensuring your wishes are carried out as planned and that you do not spend more money than necessary. Keep in mind that a funeral service is for the living and while you will certainly respect the wishes of the deceased, do not feel guilty about putting your needs first.
The funeral planning process requires a lot of decisions to be made in a short period of time. To make certain you consider all of your spiritual, emotional and financial needs, ask close family and friends to go with you to appointments at the funeral home, meetings with clergy, attorneys, accountants, etc. Keep a notebook with you to jot down names, dates, and details of meetings and conversations. Having that record will help you recall important details.
Here are some tips from the National Funeral Directors Association:
- Be an informed consumer. Don't be reluctant to ask questions.
- Today's there are a variety of options to meet your financial needs and wishes. Be sure to discuss all available options before making a decision.
- When selecting a funeral director, choose one who is licensed and has a good reputation in the community. NFDA member directory is a good place to start.
- Be prepared! Avoid the burden of making decisions while under emotional stress by organizing details with your funeral director ahead of time. Remember…preplanning doesn't necessarily mean prepaying.
- Plan a personalized ceremony or service to help you begin the healing process. Getting through grief is never easy but having a meaningful funeral or tribute will help.
After the funeral is over and life returns to a more normal routine, consider pre-planning your own funeral arrangements.
|
|
