Talking to Your Family About Funeral Planning

Perhaps you know your time on this planet is short. Perhaps you plan on being around for some time. Either way, it is never too soon to begin planning funeral arrangements and thinking about that period in time. Nor is it ever too soon to involve your family in the process. If you or someone you know is looking into funeral services in or near Center Grove, IN, rest assured there are professionals in your area who can discuss your options and work with you on making all necessary arrangements. These may seem like difficult discussions. They may not be your idea of a good time. But getting around to funeral arrangements is virtually inevitable. And doing this the right way is important. You shouldn’t find yourself at the end of the road without any plans made, subject to potential family disagreement and incurring additional stress in the process. There is no need for that. And yes, family can help. 

You can also help your family. Rather than simply scribbling down some last wishes, your family may benefit from clearly articulated expectations that you can establish throughout conversations. Put simply, talking can help. You likely have preferences. You likely have some concept of what your funeral or memorial service should look like. There is no reason your final days should be characterized by uncertainty. A few simple discussions and a bit of early planning can put you at ease instead. 

As Aging Care’s Molly M. Gligor notes, “Often, family and friends are unsure of what a late loved one would have wanted their funeral or memorial service to be like and worry about making poor choices. Preplanning can help surviving loved ones make confident decisions regarding final arrangements and significantly reduce the number of difficulties that traditionally confront families following a loss.” 

Now to be completely fair, yes, some of these conversations can be difficult. They can be particularly problematic depending upon your family itself. To some extent, the onus may be on you to get out in front of certain issues that may otherwise fester and make family issues even more troubling. 

As My Send Off points out, “Family disputes over funeral services and burial arrangements are more common than one might think. These disputes can arise without warning and can range from issues pertaining to location of the funeral or burial, duration of the funeral process, choice of cultural and religious traditions, cremation or burial, and in even in some cases the clothing selected for the loved one.” 

Don’t let that happen. In addition to discussing certain items with your family, you should also work closely with a funeral director to find the kind of plan that works for you. This can alleviate financial stress and other uncertainty that often becomes difficult for families. 

If you are seriously interested in funeral services in the Center Grove, IN, area, consider reaching out to Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. We look forward to working with you and your family in a bid to make life easier. You can visit us at 39 E High St, Mooresville, IN 46158 or place a phone call to (317) 831-2080.