Funerals are not exactly a go-to conversation starter, yet every one of us in the Lehigh Valley is going to have one at some point. Talking about death has always been a taboo topic, as if talking about it out loud is going to somehow hasten the Grim Reaper. Planning a funeral in advance can be one of the kindest and most thoughtful things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.
It might feel a bit odd at first to discuss and think ahead about the time of your death, but when it comes to final arrangements, you can bring yourself peace of mind and ease any unnecessary stress during an already emotional time. Pre-planning doesn’t mean you’re being gloomy or rushing anything or feeling morbid; it just means you’re organized, and who doesn’t love to be organized?
You’ll bring your family immense relief.
One of the kindest benefits of advance funeral planning is the relief that it brings to your family. When someone passes, emotions run high because people love you. The last thing you want your family to do is make a dozen decisions under pressure. If you prefer upright headstones and a grave over being cremated, or a simple service over an elaborate one, you get to write this down. Maybe you’ve already thought about things like a memorial location or specific songs or poems. Having your preferences in writing makes things easier for everybody.
You get to control the details.
Pre-planning allows you to create a ceremony that reflects your life, your values, and your personality, which is exactly what you want. Maybe you envision something traditional with everybody in black. Maybe you want something more relaxed with music, laughter, and a favorite recipe shared at the reception. Whatever your style, planning in advance allows you to be the author of your own farewell.
There is financial peace of mind to consider.
Let’s talk about money for a moment. Funerals can be expensive, and costs often catch families off guard. When you plan your funeral in advance, not only can you explore payment options and pay it off early, you can compare prices before you prepay. Doing this not only helps to avoid overspending, it’s another way to give your family a peaceful goodbye. You’re telling them that you’ve got them covered and you’re not going to let them worry about anything other than saying “Goodbye” to you.
Pre-planning is more common than you think.
Funerals are not cheap, so it’s becoming more common to have funerals pre-arranged before the moment of death. And it’s not just something that happens among seniors—people of all ages are starting to understand the value of being prepared and what pre-planning can offer their families.
