If something unexpected were to happen to you, do you have your affairs in order? Many people have thought through some aspects of end-of-life planning, such as creating a will and choosing a power of attorney. But many people neglect another important part of planning for the future: deciding on their funeral wishes.
For some, thinking about death can feel uncomfortable, even morbid. But planning ahead for how to be remembered is a priceless gift to your loved ones. When you preplan your funeral, you can make the process as simple as possible for those you leave behind. Below, we look at some common misconceptions and misunderstandings that often hold people back from planning ahead.
I’m too young to worry about planning my funeral.
It’s never too early to begin planning for peace of mind. Although many people begin thinking about funeral arrangements after going on hospice or receiving a terminal diagnosis, there’s nothing wrong with planning when you’re at peak health.
In fact, being able to think through your final wishes when you’re calm and unhurried is often best. That way you know that, no matter what happens, your loved ones will not be burdened with the minutiae of funeral planning while managing their own grief.
I just want something simple, so there’s no reason to preplan.
Maybe you just want a simple cremation and to have your ashes scattered at your favorite beach. Maybe you’d like to be buried in a family plot near your ancestors. Whatever your final wishes, having them written down in a formal plan can relieve stress and uncertainty from your loved ones.
When faced with an unexpected loss and grief, family members can often fall into the trap of emotional over-spending. Disagreements about funeral details can create frustration and family arguments during an already stressful time. If you want a simple funeral, the best way to ensure those wishes are honored is to plan out the details in advance so there can be no confusion.
I can’t afford to pay right now, so there’s no point in preplanning.
A preplanned funeral does not necessarily need to be paid fully in advance. If necessary, we can work out a payment plan to help ease the cost of your arrangements while locking in prices against future inflation and cost increases. Working out these details now, when you have time to prepare, will save your loved ones from potential financial worry in the future.
If I move or change my mind, I can’t change my plan.
The plan you create will live safely in a file at the funeral home, and any funds you pay in advance are held in a secure account. If you change your mind in the future about any aspect of your service, those plans can be updated with a simple call to the funeral home. If you move or need to change funeral homes for any reason, your plan and the funds associated with it can be transferred to a different location.
I don’t have the time to preplan my funeral.
Making your final arrangements doesn’t need to be a stressful or time-consuming process. Although you’ll want to put some thought into your wishes, the actual act of creating a plan can be finished in an afternoon. Once the plan is in place, you can rest easy knowing that you don’t need to think about it again unless you decide to change something.
At Chapman Funerals & Cremations, we make the process as quick and simple as possible. To begin, you can simply reach out by phone or fill out our online form. A funeral director will follow up with you to meet at your home, the funeral home, or another location of your choice. Use our funeral preplanning checklist as a guide for the information you’ll need at the appointment. We’ll answer any questions that you have, help you understand your options, and guide you through each step of the process.
Preplanning your funeral may feel daunting, but we’re with you every step of the way.