Nobody likes to think about death, however it’s an
unfortunate fact of life that we must all come to terms with at some point or
another. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is understandably very painful,
but it can also be extremely difficult to process and prepare for your own
death. Sadly, this is inevitable in some upsetting cases. In times like these,
it is only natural to worry about your loved ones and your dependants, and to
think about the ways you can support them as they prepare for the loss of a
loved one.
With this in mind, many people plan their memorial service
in advance to support their friends and family as they deal with their loss. A
pre-paid funeral plan can save you and your family stress during a highly
emotional time, in addition to taking care of any financial worries they may
have. Above all, advance funeral planning can make it easier for individuals
and their loved ones to process their eventual bereavement, as we discuss here.
Fulfil your final
wishes
Funerals are a hugely significant part of dealing with the
death of someone important. They give people the chance to say goodbye to their
loved ones, and to celebrate their life in a way that honours and reflects
them. Helping your friends and family to plan a ceremony that represents you
and your wishes gives them the opportunity to do exactly that, and to remember
your life the way that you want them to. Funerals should be personal, and it’s
important to ensure that your final wishes are fulfilled during this time. You
may have discussed this with your loved ones, but taking out a funeral plan in
advance can give you complete peace of
mind that your memorial will go exactly as you have planned.
There are a number of details to discuss when planning a
funeral in advance. Perhaps one of the most important details to consider is
whether a burial or cremation service is right for you. Your immediate family
and closest friends may be the people who know you best, but only you will know
what kind of service you would like to celebrate your life. Each of these
services can be individualised, so that every aspect of your memorial is
completely personal to you. When planning a burial service, funeral directors
will ask for your preferences with regards to types of coffin and transportation
to the ceremony. For cremations, you may wish to discuss transportation options
and family visits to the chapel of rest. You will also have the opportunity to
make requests regarding your ashes, which will hold a great deal of importance
to both yourself and your family. Considering these details in advance will
support your loved ones while making sure that your memorial service reflects
you and your wishes.
Provide your loved
ones with emotional support
Under any circumstance, losing someone important can be very
emotionally challenging. Processing the loss of a loved one can take time, and
there is no right or wrong way to deal with the news. Funerals can be extremely
helpful during this time, as people gather to celebrate the life of their loved
one and find solace in each other. When it comes to planning a memorial
service, the most important thing to do is to organise a ceremony that’s just
as special and as unique as your loved one.This can place a lot of pressure on
family members, especially if they haven’t had the opportunity to discuss the
preferences and final requirements of the departed. Planning the details of
your funeral in advance can make the process less stressful for your family,
and can give them more time to deal with their emotions in a way that works for
them.
Planning a funeral requires a lot of thought and care. For
some people, planning a heartfelt memorial service for their loved one can
serve as an outlet for them to deal with their loss. For others, it can add
extra stress to an already emotional time. Discussing the details of your
funeral in advance with a pre-paid plan can relieve some of the pressure, and
can give your immediate family the chance to deal with everything at their own
pace. Above all, specifying the details of your memorial service can give your
loved ones peace of mind that everything is to your taste and meets any
requirements you may have.
There are a number of factors to consider in advance, such
as:
– Music.
Whether
religious hymns or modern day pieces, music acts as a medium through which
people can express how they feel.
– Flowers.
Flowers
bring beauty to a funeral service, and have always been shared to express
sympathy.
– Readings.
Passages
from important books and poems can help people articulate how they feel when
they cannot find the words themselves.
– Eulogies.
Sharing
stories and happy memories can help people heal after the loss of a loved one.
Planning your own funeral can feel overwhelming, but it can
also be an outlet for you and your family to process the idea together. This is
especially true for families who have to come to terms with the death of
someone important in the near future, and who may still be in shock at the
recent news. Planning your funeral service together could give your loved ones
the opportunity to ask you any questions they have about your memorial, and may
make the planning process seem less daunting for them and for you. Knowing that
you’ve had input in your own memorial service could also encourage them to view
it as a celebration of your life, as it will feel as if a part of you is there
with them during the day.
Reduce the financial
pressure placed upon your loved ones
Unfortunately, paying for a memorial service can place
families under financial pressure. Funerals are expensive, and covering the
cost of the service can put a great deal of additional stress on people who
have just lost someone important. This is the last thing people want to deal
with when they’re suffering with the loss of a loved one, but is something that
can be avoided with a pre-paid funeral plan. These give people the opportunity
to subsidise or cover the cost of their own funeral to lift any financial
pressure placed upon their family, and can ease monetary concerns by spreading
the cost of the funeral across a set time period. A payment plan can be agreed
between you and your chosen provider, and will give you control over your
funeral expenses.
Payment plans differ between providers and funeral
directors, but most companies will allow
you to choose between a few different packages. Although the price of
the plan will remain the same, you’ll be able to choose between paying small
amounts on a monthly basis (payments are usually split across 12 months), or
the ability to settle the costs with one lump sum. The cost of the funeral plan
you choose will vary depending on the services and extras you would like to
include, which is a personal choice that only you can make, and will differ
depending on whether a cremation or burial service is right for you. The least
expensive plans will offer a basic package, whereas a more costly plan will
include extras. This may include additional transport for your family,
flexibility when visiting the chapel of rest and a professionally drawn up
Will. Whatever pre-paid plan you choose, your contribution is sure to support
your loved ones in both a financial and emotional sense.
Normington &
Sons: Helping local families since 1957
The topic of death is a sensitive one, which is why it’s
essential to find a funeral director that will always go the extra mile.
Choosing the right funeral director truly can make all the difference when it
comes to finding the right pre-paid funeral package for you, or when planning
the perfect memorial service for a loved one. At Normington & Sons, we
understand just how emotionally challenging it can be to plan a funeral. We are
dedicated to making the entire process as stress-free as possible for the
families we help, and will work with you to create a completely unique service.
We offer a selection of bespoke funeral services to the
local areas of Wakefield, Pontrefract and Barnsley, in addition to assisting
individuals and families with pre-paid funeral packages and payment plans.
Whatever you need, our compassionate funeral directors are available 24-hours a
day to provide support with all aspects of planning a funeral. For kind advice
and more information about our range of services, please
do get in touch
to see how we could help you during this
difficult time.
