Thinking about your own funeral can be a difficult topic, but an important one to plan for and consider. Just like you plan for the end of life in other ways — such as documenting your will and power of attorney — planning your funeral relieves burdens from your loved ones and ensures your final wishes.
Funeral preplanning offers a lasting gift to your loved ones — one that provides clarity, comfort and peace of mind when they need it most.
What is Funeral Preplanning?
Preplanning (also known as funeral preplanning or end-of-life planning) allows you to make decisions about your funeral or memorial choices in advance — choosing elements such as burial or cremation, service details and payment options.
Why Should You Preplan Your Funeral?
By making end-of-life decisions ahead of time, you remove the guesswork and emotional and financial burden from your loved ones, allowing them to remember and honor your life without worrying about planning your funeral. Planning ahead also allows you to reflect on the legacy you wish to leave behind.
To Relieve Emotional Stress
Grief is overwhelming, and without a preplanned funeral, the pressure of making numerous complex decisions falls to your loved ones — during their time of grief. Preplanning your funeral removes the burden and emotional stress from your loved ones, giving them space to grieve and honor your life instead of making funeral decisions. Preplanning can also eliminate potential disagreements among your family members as they try to remember your funeral preferences.
To Provide Financial Security
Whether you opt for burial or cremation as well as a memorial service, preplanning your funeral relieves the financial burden from your loved ones and locks in today’s prices — protecting your loved ones from rising funeral costs. Funeral expenses can add up quickly, especially when loved ones make decisions under emotional and time pressure. A prepaid funeral plan allows you and your loved ones financial peace of mind.
To Ensure Your Final Wishes
Another benefit to preplanning your funeral is to honor and ensure your final wishes. Whether you choose a traditional religious service, an eco-friendly burial or a celebration-of-life event, documenting your preferences allows your legacy to be left as you wish.
Saying goodbye is a crucial step for your loved ones as they grieve, and grieving with their remaining family and friends offers comfort and encouragement during their most difficult days.
How to Start Preplanning
If you’re helping your loved one preplan their funeral, start with a gentle conversation about end-of-life planning. Check out our blog post full of tips for discussing funeral arrangements with your loved one.
If you’re interested in preplanning your own funeral or your loved one’s funeral, we encourage you to check out our funeral planning checklist and connect with your trusted local funeral service provider to start the planning process. They will walk you through the next steps as you gather your personal documents, record your final wishes and inform your family about your decisions.
Need help choosing a funeral home? Read our tips for selecting a funeral home that’s right for you or your loved one.
Preplanning your funeral is a beautiful, final gift to your loved ones — a thoughtful and loving way to show them you care. Discover even more reasons to preplan your funeral, and start the planning process with your local funeral provider today.
