There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to funeral and cremation arrangements. It would help if you had a say in the final “looks” of your remains. It’s your body, and you are the one who knows best how you want to look going into the great beyond.
It Will Help Your Loved Ones Plan for Your Final Arrangements
It’s a sad fact of life that we’re not all going to be around forever. But when you pass away, you don’t have to leave any questions about what kind of ceremony or party you’d like to have in your honor. If you put your final arrangement preferences in writing, everyone will know what to do—and who they should call—to ensure everything goes smoothly and according to plan.
You can also use this document to explain what kinds of tributes and memories mean the most to you. It’s exciting when someone wants to honor someone they care about by writing a poem or song or holding a ceremony, but it can be hard for them to know where to start if they haven’t been told what tributes are meaningful for them their loved one. By putting down your thoughts on paper, you give them an idea of where they should focus their energy so that it feels more personal and meaningful for everyone involved. Here are some examples of final arrangements you may need:
1. If you don’t want a funeral, consider what kind of memorial service or celebration you’d like to have instead.
2. If you want an open casket, make sure that your family knows this so they can prepare themselves emotionally for the ceremony.
3. If there is any sort of religious tradition that needs to be honored, let your family know so they can plan accordingly.
You Can Set Aside Funds to Cover the Cost of Your Funeral
When you put your final arrangement preferences in writing, you can do so knowing that your family is prepared for any expenses that may come up. Whether it’s a simple burial or a more elaborate affair, having your final arrangements pre-planned means that there won’t be any unexpected expenses that could cause stress during this difficult time. The cost of funerals fluctuates depending on where you live and what type of service or ceremony you choose, but it’s important to know that your family can plan ahead, so a sudden bill doesn’t catch them off guard at an already difficult time.
It Helps Your Family Avoid Tough Decisions During a Time of Grief
When you’re gone, your family will be in a state of shock and grief. They may have trouble making important decisions at the time of your death, especially if they’ve never had to do it before. It’s important to put your final arrangements in writing so that your family is not left struggling with what to do in the aftermath of your death.
If you don’t leave instructions for them, they’ll have to decide whether or not to use an urn or bury you in a casket—and whether or not to have a funeral service. They may also have to choose between cremation and burial and what kind of casket or urn they want for you.
If you don’t tell them where you want your ashes kept after the cremation, they’ll have to make more decisions about what will happen to them after their death. They might also be forced into making difficult choices about how best to honor your memory.
If there’s no plan in place and no one has thought about what they want to be done with their remains when they die, they might end up having an expensive funeral that wasn’t necessary—or worse: no funeral at all.
It Helps You Clarify Your Wishes
When you’re making your final arrangements, you might have a lot of thoughts running through your head. You might have some wishes that need clarifying—like what you want to wear in the casket or who you want to be with when you say goodbye. It’s hard to know how to put those thoughts into words, especially when they’re so personal and emotional. But don’t worry: just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
The more clearly you can explain what you want and why, the better for everyone involved. Your friends and family will know exactly what to do for the service and funeral, which means less stress for them and you during this difficult time. If something does go wrong with your arrangement preferences, there won’t be any misunderstandings about what was meant or intended by any particular decision on your part.
We are all going to die. When we die, our final arrangements are planned for us by others: who will be at the funeral, what stories will be shared about us; where we’ll be buried, etc. We’re all focused on making end-of-life plans. This makes it important to discuss final arrangements with your loved ones and put your final arrangements in writing.