Tips To Help With Funeral Planning

Funerals and losing the people we love aren’t something we want to think about, but when the time comes, you will be happy that everything is planned. It’s not just the funerals of the people around you, but your own too. And while it might sound morbid, it is something we all have to think about. 

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When you can have these conversations, it is important to do so. Tell people what you want when you die, and ask those around you too. It’s important to take time to understand what people do and sometimes even why. Would they prefer to be buried, and where? What about cremation? A large ceremony, or something small and private? 

And if they do choose cremation, where would they like their ashes to be scattered, if at all? 

Planning

Avoid paying for anything while you are planning. One of the issues with paying for things in advance is that things in life can change. What you want right now, or what your loved ones want right now, could be different when the time comes. 

So it is important to consider the planning as a ‘living thing’; it can be changed and altered right up until it’s time to use it. Speak to funeral directors that you trust when you need to. 

Instead of paying for things, you can set cash aside so that you can afford what you want. 

Shop around

The average cost for a funeral with a burial is about $8000, and just like saving for a house deposit or buying a car – it is something that should be looked upon as an investment. Something that you need to save up. 

It can be tough to get some funeral places to give solid figures, but The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule means that they have to quote prices to you in person or over the phone. 

You are unlikely to find prices online as they are not required to be given or via email. 

Packages

You might be tempted to get a one-and-done package, but they often come with things you don’t need or want. So before you get enticed by a package deal, make sure you have checked out which services are included and, perhaps more importantly – which ones aren’t. 

You might have service included, but you might not have a gravestone in the package. 

Write it down

Having the conversation is one thing, but writing it down is much more important. When you have these things written down, you can even go ahead and sign them too. It’s not just about giving people directions; it is about knowing what people want and how you can help them. 

You should all be as specific as possible, but keep in mind that you might not be able to have everything you want. 

During the conversations, make sure that everyone is okay if things need to be changed – so there is no guilt attached if daisies aren’t available or that the only tulips you can find are pink, not white.