Planning Ahead Eases Grief for Loved Ones

Though it's not a topic most of us want to think about, planning for what happens after your death can reduce the stress on grieving loved ones. Making decisions now about your funeral arrangements can help assure those left behind that your wishes are being honored.

"The death of a loved one is always stressful. Fortunately, preplanning is something you can do now to help your family," says funeral director J.C. Aubry with the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cemetery and cremation providers. "Preplanning can significantly reduce the number of difficult decisions that confront loved ones at a time of loss."

It's easy to preplan your final arrangements using a three-step process.

1) Decide on the Service

Deciding on the type of service you want is a first step towards feeling confident that your wishes will be fulfilled. Determine if your service should have religious elements, if it should be intimate or large, or if there are any unique elements you want incorporated.

Another important element to discuss is final disposition. Do you prefer burial or cremation? Consider purchasing cemetery property and inquire about all options available for memorialization and disposition of cremated remains.

2) Shop Around and Choose a Funeral Home

Investigating different funeral homes is an important part of planning a funeral. Compare available options, prices and quality of service to find the right fit for your budget and your final wishes. Comparison shopping now allows you to feel secure you're getting the best value for your money.

Choose a home that fits your budget and is willing to accommodate your special requests. With the right funeral provider, you'll feel confident your wishes will be fulfilled and you won't feel uncomfortable asking questions or rushed into making selections.

3) Understand Your Funding Options

You do not need to prepay in order to preplan your funeral. If you choose to prefund your prearrangement, you can lock in today's prices for products and services that likely will be more expensive in the future. Work with a funeral professional to understand your state's particular laws and regulations that protect preneed funds.

Regardless of whether or not you fund your prearrangement, be sure to let your loved ones know that you've preplanned your final arrangements. They'll appreciate the steps you've taken to relieve them of additional stress at a trying time.

Source: Dignity Memorial, several locations near you, www.DignityMemorial.com