This week on our blog, we’re talking about pre-planning your own funeral. Pre-arranged funerals have increased in popularity over recent years. In this article we will explore the benefits of pre-planning your own funeral, how we can help and some of the things you will need to consider before getting started.
Why should you plan your own funeral?
Planning your own funeral has plenty of advantages. Perhaps the most obvious advantage of pre planning your own funeral is that doing so means you can rest assured that your life will be celebrated in the way you wish. When you pre-plan your funeral, the choices are yours – you get to choose whether you are cremated or buried, the type of ceremony or service you are remembered with, you can choose your own coffin and even the songs and dress code for your final farewell. By preplanning your funeral, you get to be remembered the way you wish to be.
Another reason that pre-paid and pre-arranged funerals are worthy of consideration is that doing so spares those you love of the angst and stress of trying to plan a funeral at what is likely to be one of the worst times of their lives. You are also sparing them of the financial burden that inevitably comes with arranging a funeral. Because of this, pre-arranging your funeral is a loving and thoughtful gift you can leave for your family when you pass away.
Having a pre-arranged funeral also means that you have the opportunity to change your mind. Perhaps in 10 years time you decide you want everyone to wear bright colours to your final farewell and that donations should be made to a specific charity in lieu of flowers – all you need to do is get in touch and let us know that you would like some changes made. We are happy to help!
Is it weird to plan your own funeral?
Of course not! There is nothing weird about easing the burden of planning your funeral on the people you love most. Planning your own funeral helps to ease possible arguments over money and funeral arrangements, and as we have said, it means your life is celebrated your way.
How do you pre plan your own funeral?
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning your own funeral, and the first vital step in the process is deciding what your end of life wishes are. We have already discussed this on our blog, so if you haven’t already, head on over to last week’s blog post and have a read. You will also find handy free downloads including our new My Final Wishes planner, a different planner from the Australian Funeral Directors Association, and another lovely print out to record your life story.
Once you have established what your end of life wishes are, the next step is to get in touch with us. Burnett Regional Funeral Services offers pre-arranged pre-paid funerals in conjunction with Bundaberg based company Flexible Funeral Benefits Pty Ltd. To read their brochure, click here. Our friendly team will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and will walk you through the process of planning your own funeral.
What do I need to think about when planning my own funeral?
There are many things to be considered in pre-arranging your own funeral that stretch far beyond whether you would like to be buried or cremated.
Here are some considerations to get you started:
- Where would you like the service to be held, and if that location is not available, where is your second choice?
- Will your service be religious or civil?
- Who will officiate your service?
- What should people wear? Black or bright colours?
- What songs would you like played, and should they be sung by a vocalist, played on a PA system or should they be instrumental?
- Who would you like to do your eulogy? Perhaps you might even like to write your own eulogy.
- Would you like a graveside service?
- Are there any poems and readings you would like to be read?
Our My Final Wishes workbook raises these questions and plenty more that you will need to carefully consider.
How much does a pre planned funeral cost?
Unfortunately, there is no set answer to this question. The cost of a pre arranged funeral varies widely, and is dependent on your choices. The good news is that pre-arranged funerals usually offer the option to pay for your funeral in instalments. Our friendly team would be happy to sit down with you to discuss funeral options that are within your budget. Click here to contact us to have a discussion or get started pre-arranging your funeral.