While it’s not a topic many families are up for discussing, making arrangements ahead of time for your funeral can be a life saver when it comes to the grieving process. Curtis Ottinger, Managing Partner at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel shares why it’s important to make plans now rather than after the loss of a loved one.
“When you’ve experienced a loss, making the plans is the hardest thing you will need to do,” Ottinger said. “If families make the effort to plan before it’s needed, they’re so much more relaxed and can focus on the needs of one another. I have been through the death of both parents and a brother and planned those services, so I know firsthand just how difficult the process can be.”
He went on to share that if you want to spare your family the emotional and financial burden on one of the worse days of their lives, then preplanning is the way to go.
“If your wishes are unknown at the time of your death, your family is left with sorting everything out on your behalf,” Ottinger noted. There are many questions that can come up, and it can be a lot to process at a time when all you want to do is honor the life that was well-lived.
Planning early also enables you, as the person in charge, to make financial arrangements to cover the costs. Even if you are leaving behind money to cover a funeral service, will your family be able to access it?