Though nobody likes thinking about the time when they pass from this life, it's a good idea to have some idea of how you would like your service to go when that day finally comes. Many homes now offer funeral services that allow you to pre-plan your funeral - that is, to prepay, decide on a casket and burial plot, and make any final arrangements that are special to you and your family (songs, prayers, eulogies, etc).
It can feel morbid to sit down with a funeral director and plan it all out, but it can also be one of the best things you do for your family. Here's why.
Take the Emotional Burden Off Your Family
Few people are in a calm and collected state of mind when a loved one passes away. There's grief, confusion, and possibly even anger, which can make planning a funeral especially hard. Though funeral homes typically have pre-arranged services that can be tailored to each individual person, that can also feel extremely impersonal. People want to honor loved ones appropriately; one of the best ways to do that is by doing the hard work for them.
Have Your Last Wishes Carried Out
Funeral homes are adept at performing any number of "last wishes" a person may desire or, at the very least, helping the family accomplish them. This can include having certain songs sung at a funeral to writing out beforehand what you want on your headstone. Regardless of the desire, if you have a specific way you want to be remembered, pre-planning your funeral is the way to do it.
Assume the Financial Responsibility For Your Service
Most people are surprised when they see the bill for funeral services; no matter which state you're in, the average cost of a funeral is somewhere between $8,000-10,000. That may seem high, but when you consider the cost of a casket, gravesite, death certificate, and funeral home rental, it can add up in a hurry (and that's not counting any kind of end-of-life services like hospice care). Many people pre-plan their funerals precisely for this reason - to take the financial burden off of their family so that they don't have to think about it during a period of grief. If this interests you, contact a funeral home to ask about prepaying your funeral services in installments; that way, you don't have to come up with a lump sum out of pocket but are still able to take care of your family.
To learn more, contact a resource that offers funeral planning services.
