For some people the topic of death remains taboo. Although it’s a certainty in life, discussing mortality can evoke a sense of unease toward a subject that will one day affect us all, if it hasn’t already.
But if talking about death is off limits, how are you supposed to plan for when a loved one passes? More importantly, how will you be able to prepare for your own death?
Before you begin reflecting on your mortality take solace in knowing that you’re not alone in being concerned about what will happen after life ends. Though thinking about it may be difficult, many people see death and its inevitability as a shining opportunity to take time to make arrangements and get their affairs in order.
It’s important to initiate the conversation about death sooner than later. O’Sullivan Funeral Home in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario believes the best was to start talking is to take action and pre-plan.
4 very good reasons you should pre-plan your funeral
“It’s not uncommon for people to pre-plan their funeral,” says O’Sullivan’s Funeral Director and owner Lisa Damignani. “It can be considered a final gift to loved ones and relieve the burden of making difficult decisions during an emotional time.”
Aside from gaining peace-of- mind, preparing for your death has a number of benefits.
It’s your celebration. Why not ensure your final wishes are met?
Do you have specific preferences about your funeral? What type of service do you have in mind? Will you be buried or cremated? How about music and readings? Creating a funeral plan eliminates questions about your final wishes so you can take comfort in knowing how your life will be celebrated once you’re gone.
Take responsibility and ease the burden of planning.
There are over 70 details that need to be tended to within the 24 hours after a death. Who should be responsible for handling these tough decisions? Having a plan in place makes a difficult time easier for loved ones by alleviating any confusion or disagreements about your wishes.
This pre-planning checklist is a great tool to get you started.
Be self-reliant to the end.
There’s something empowering about being able to take control of not only the decisions that affect your life, but also the ones that affect you in death. Making these choices provides self-relief and comfort knowing you’ve left your loved ones unburdened.
Pre-planning has never been easier. Funeral homes like O’Sullivan’s are making it simple to pre-arrange your end of life care by offering easy-to-use online planning tools.
Assume financial responsibility. Protect yourself from rising costs.
Planning allows you to make important arrangements to cover the cost of your funeral so your family doesn’t have to bear any financial responsibility when you die.
When it comes to planning your funeral there are two pre-payment options. You can enter into a trust account where your money will earn interest until funeral costs must be covered. You can also purchase an insurance plan as one lump sum payment or through the convenience of monthly automatic withdrawals.
A major benefit of pre-paying is it provides protection from price inflation. A prepaid funeral can shield you from future inflationary trends so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay the final bill.
And if you’ve already made arrangements and want to change funeral homes, don’t worry. Existing funeral plans are transferable.
For in-depth information about pre-payment options you’ll want to contact your local funeral home.
Closure.
A funeral isn’t just for the person who passes away, it’s also for the many friends and loved ones who live on. Pre-planning encourages meaningful closure and facilitates the grieving process so the people you’re survived by can heal.
Have more questions about pre-planning your funeral, payment information, or immediate need arrangements? Contact O’Sullivan Funeral home at 705-759- 8456 or visit www.OSullivanFuneralHome.com.