Death and funeral planning are things a majority of people would rather not discuss. Unfortunately, the reluctance towards these essential conversations is the reason why most families are left at crossroads once a loved one dies. So, if you’ve recently thought about pre-planning your funeral, we commend you for your boldness. It’s a step most people would rather not think about. That’s why below, we offer tips on how to pre-plan your funeral.
Designate a Decision Maker
If you have decided to pre-plan your funeral, an excellent place to start would be to authorize someone specific to take charge of your funeral arrangements. In cases where someone passes away without pre-arranging their funeral, the spouse is automatically permitted by the law to handle the process. If they didn’t have a spouse, then the responsibility is passed on to either the adult children, parents, or siblings.
Designating a specific person to handle your funeral arrangements prevents conflicts, and most importantly, allows you to choose someone you believe will ensure your wishes are honored. You can specify this in your will, or in the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. Whichever option you choose, ensure you update the person you plan on assigning the responsibility about it.
Review Your Funeral Options
When you pass away, you have several options. For instance, you can be buried the ordinary way, get cremated, or even donate your organs to science. After you designate someone to handle your funeral arrangements, ensure you choose the most suitable option for you. This will make things relatively easier for your loved ones after you pass away.
Make Financial Arrangements
Even with pre-planning, death is never convenient. Even if you have a terminal illness, no amount of funeral pre-planning will prevent your loved ones from feeling the loss or grieving. Taking the financial burden they would have to bear will help them grieve without having to worry about the related costs. Make sure you consider the estimated costs of your funeral.
The average cost of a funeral in 2020 is $9,000 and the casket is often the most significant of all expenses. Check-out these costs, and create a financial plan that will make everything easy for those you leave behind.
Shop Around
As noted, the average cost of a funeral is pretty high. That said, don’t just pay for any funeral packages you come across. Just as with any other purchase, shop around to find someone who offers the most favorable packages. For instance, you could buy a casket online as it’s much cheaper. If you don’t believe in paying for things beforehand, then it would be a good idea to set funds aside and give your loved ones a list of where you want them to get everything.
Document Everything
You may take months pre-planning your funeral, but if you don’t document your end of life wishes, then all your efforts will pretty much go to waste. Ensure you record everything you want. For instance, if you’ve decided to buy your casket online, you could indicate this on your wish list, and even suggest the exact site.
