Funeral planning - what's stopping you?
No one likes talking about funerals, except funeral directors of course. The great thing about funeral planning is once you’ve done it, you can forget about dying and never have to mention it again. To help you get started, we’ve addressed some of the most common concerns around funeral planning.
"I don't like talking about dying"
Funeral planning doesn’t have to be a bleak subject. Talking about your wishes and comparing them to those closest to you can be quite enlightening. Deep down you may know whether you would prefer to be buried or cremated, so this can be a good starting point. Is there somewhere special you would like your ashes scattered? Would you prefer a an elaborate wooden coffin, wicker or just the cheapest one available? , Is there a favourite hymn or piece of music that should be played?
Whether it’s a father who wants his daughters to trudge to the top of a favourite mountain to scatter the ashes or a friend who wants everyone to wear pink at the funeral whilst dancing to Abba’s greatest hits, they are good conversations to have!
So don’t be afraid to start talking about it. Like many things, the longer you put it off, the more difficult these decisions become so why not do it now and get it out of the way?! You’ll feel a lot better for doing it.
"I don't need to put plans in place"
Ask yourself, does your wife, husband, son or daughter know what type of funeral you would like or will they be left scratching their head when the funeral director asks?
Are they aware of a special piece of jewellery you would like them to keep or is there a danger that it may go to a relative who in truth you have never really liked? Do they know that you would like your body donated to science or your money to the local cats’ home?
For so many reasons sharing your wishes with your family is a kind thing to do.! The grieving process is bad enough without them having to second guess what you would have wanted. Whether you include your wishes in your Will, a Funeral Plan, a letter or just leave a list of instructions, it will lighten the load and support your family when they need it most.
"I'm too young for funeral planning"
The chances are you're not. Whether you are under 50 or over, it doesn't matter. It may even be easier and straightforward to put funeral plans in place when you are younger.
Doing something as simple as writing a Will can hep clarify so many issues that may only rear their head when you die. You can then be reassured you have taken care of what you can while you can, rather than leaving it to chance.
It may also be worth considering paying for a funeral in advance, howver young you are now.
"My family will deal with things"
Yes, we offer national coverage throughout the UK, so it doesn’t matter where you live – there will always be a funeral director local to you.
Not only will your family have the funeral to sort out and pay for, but they will also have to work out what happens to your possessions. If you don’t have a Will this may open up a can of worms. We’ve all heard stories about even the closest of families feuding over what happens to a treasured piece of furniture, painting or clock! And don’t forget, all this is happening whilst they are still trying to come to terms with you not being around anymore – that’s tough!
So why do we do it? Why not make the decisions beforehand so they don’t have to? After all, wouldn’t it be great to know that when the time comes you have taken care of everything, so they have one less thing to worry about?
"I can't afford a funeral plan"
A funeral plan can take some of the weight of paying and organising a funeral off the shoulders of those who are left behind. The cost of a funeral plan will depend on what services are provided and the provider you choose.
If you’re concerned about the potential cost of a comprehensive funeral plan, or a plan that must be paid for upfront, there are other options that may be more appealing or affordable. For example, pay-monthly funeral plans that allow you to spread the cost and direct cremation plans that provide a basic cremation with no service. Or you could consider over 50 life insurance which starts from just a few pounds month and enables you to leave a small cash gift that your loved ones could put towards the cost of your funeral if they wish.