By Daneen Cline
Few things in life can make a person as uncomfortable as discussing or contemplating their own death. As adults, we know it is inescapable; it is after all the natural conclusion to a life that has hopefully been long, happy and healthy. However, the fact that it is inescapable is what makes the majority of us so uncomfortable. We know it is going to happen, we just don’t know when, where or how it will happen, and it is human nature to fear that which we can’t control.
While we may not be able to control the timing and circumstances of our own passing, we can be in complete control of the funeral process if we just take the time to make our wishes known through pre-planning.
Pre-planning means different things to different people. Some people will purchase an Irrevocable Burial Contract (IBC) to cover their funeral expenses and consider their job done. Others will purchase the IBC and go one step further by making their own arrangements. They will select their casket, vault and headstone and even chose the type of flowers they would like to have. Still others will do all the above and in addition will do things such as select the music and scripture verses for the service and plan the post funeral gathering for friends and family.
Regardless of what pre-planning means to you and how far you wish to go into the process, the loved ones who will be charged with taking care of your final arrangements will appreciate anything you do to make your wishes known and assist them with the process. It might also be a good idea to work on pre-planning your funeral as part of your overall estate plan with an elder law attorney such as the Cooper Law Firm.
