Facts You Should Learn When Considering Preplanning A Funeral Service

By Esther Clark


Human beings almost universally celebrate the beginning of life, but sometimes choose to ignore the approaching end. While completely understandable, this tendency may leave loved ones with the burden of arranging and paying for a final service during a time of grief and emotional turmoil. Preplanning a funeral helps minimize that pressure.

In many cases, preventing loved ones from having to make difficult decisions and endure added emotional stress is the primary reason behind detailed end-of-life planning. While those reasons are vitally important, there are other practical benefits that come from planning ahead, even for healthy young individuals.

People often have very specific personal preferences about burial, cremation, or even the type and tone of a final service. Formally making those decisions known in advance eliminates leaving them up to others, who may have different expectations. It is not only thoughtful, but also a practical and financially sound way to ensure final wishes are honored.

Making sure your plans are plainly expressed and detailed involves working with a local, reputable director before the need arises. Formalizing these plans in writing eliminates unintentional errors regarding services, or even burial location. A smoothly running, well-planned process also eliminates disagreements over details.

Making plans with a service specialist should be a careful business process. State regulations vary widely. In some cases, no payment is required until it is actually necessary, while other businesses feature prepaid contracts. If there is a possibility of changing circumstances, read the details carefully before signing an agreement.

It is never too early to begin serious planning, because everyone will eventually face this circumstance. Not only can this forethought save someone else the agony of making long-lasting decisions under duress, but it can also create the personal satisfaction of knowing your own affairs are in order.




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