Life is full of important conversations. We talk to our families about our careers, our relationships, and our hopes for the future. What we tend not to talk about, however, are our funeral arrangements. It’s a difficult thing to think about, and even more difficult to talk about with our families.
Since 1862, Chapman Funerals and Cremations has been guiding families through the funeral arrangement planning process. We have seen firsthand what happens when funeral planning doesn’t get the conversation it deserves. When you preplan your own funeral services, you won’t leave your family the emotional burden of funeral planning. And when you encourage your loved ones to preplan for themselves, everyone will have the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care of. Below, we go over some ways to start the conversation.
Ease Into The Funeral Preplanning Conversation
Whether you want to talk to your family about your own wishes to preplan your funeral services, or you want to ask a family member what types of services they want when the time comes, it’s important to remember that this is a sensitive topic for many people. It’s a good idea not to bring up the topic out of the blue. Instead, you could begin the conversation by talking about what you liked or didn’t like about a friend or relative’s funeral, or by discussing general end-of-life plans, like your will.
Regardless of how you begin the conversation, you should always speak with compassion and empathy. Assure your family that when the time comes, your preplans will be a source of comfort. This peace of mind is a gift for everyone that loves you.
Make Preplanning A Collaborative Process
Your funeral services should be a reflection of your life and personality. But when you include your close family and friends in your preplanning process, you gain an important perspective that you otherwise might not have considered. The fact is, your friends and family are the ones who will actually be at your funeral. Their needs should be considered during the preplanning process.
When you make preplanning a collaborative process, you remind your family that this isn’t just for you. It’s for them, too. They get to see firsthand everything that goes into the process, and when it’s time for them to consider their own funeral planning, they will know where to start.
How To Get Started
When you work with a funeral home, preplanning your own funeral arrangements is easy. We offer a convenient online tool to get started. Then, when you meet with a funeral director, we can help you go over all of your options, and offer guidance where needed. We know this process might not be easy. We are here to help you in any way we can, and to answer your questions at any time.
Chapman Funerals and Cremations on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and the South Shore area makes it extremely easy to begin planning. With an online tool, you can plan from the convenience and comfort of your own home. Or you can choose any of our locations on Cape Cod and the surrounding Massachusetts area to sit with a funeral director and have them guide you through the process.