Funerals Are for Grieving, Not Stressing
Benefits of preplanning a funeral or memorial include removing stressors for bereaved family members.
A celebration of life doesn’t have to replace a funeral or memorial service, although it can. And celebrations of life can take place when the family is ready to gather together to remember their loved one in a festive way. Below are a few ways to commemorate a unique life in a meaningful and joyful way.
The passing of a loved one is always an emotionally stressful time for individuals and families, on top of dealing with the grief that follows the loss of a loved one. Although death is something most of us would like to put off thinking about for as long as possible, planning for the inevitable helps to alleviate any additional burdens on grieving family members.
Oftentimes, family and friends are unsure of how a loved one would have wanted their funeral or memorial to be, especially if their passing is unexpected. When this happens, the planning process for a family can have them sitting in a funeral home for up to four overwhelming hours, making important decisions while trying to process painful emotions. Or, if there are disagreements between family members, the planning process can extend for days and even weeks. To avoid placing an added burden on the people you love, preplanning your funeral or memorial is a wise and beneficial thing to do for both yourself and your loved ones.
What is preplanning?
Preplanning helps you and your family make confident decisions about final arrangements without added pressures such as time constraints and finances. At Horan & McConaty, we provide you with a simple yet thorough process with our experienced funeral preplanning counselors, who will guide you through each step with sensitivity and professionalism. We want to ensure your final goodbye is carried out according to your wishes.
There are several advantages to pre-planning your funeral or memorial service, including:
- Peace of mind. Documenting your preferences in advance means your arrangements are guaranteed and carried out as directed. Your loved ones won’t have to make on-the-spot or last-minute decisions, so they can focus on proper remembrance and emotional healing.
- Cost protection. Preplanning ensures your arrangements are completely paid for without having to worry about inflation in the future. Since prices are locked in at the time of planning, you’ll protect your family from unexpected expenses when the time comes.
- Preplanning covers everything. Down to the flowers, music, obituary, and even the clothes you’ll wear, preplanning covers all the details. It saves your family and friends time and stress by having everything arranged ahead of time.
- Potential disagreements are eliminated. Preplanning minimizes or eliminates uncertainties and disputes about your wishes between surviving family members.
While thinking about the funeral preplanning process, some questions may come to mind:
When should I preplan?
There is no “right” time to plan your funeral or memorial service, but we suggest you begin the process when you’re vibrant and healthy, allowing you to make the best decisions without the pressures of illness or circumstance. Preplanning can be an emotional process, but it will put your mind at ease, knowing you’ll be leaving the gift of reassurance for your loved ones.
Does preplanning cover cremation?
Yes. Even simple cremation involves important decisions that need to be made and covers the cost in advance.
Can I change my plans in the future?
Yes. You can make changes to or transfer your plan at any point in time. Just make sure to communicate any modifications by directly contacting the funeral home where you initially created your plan.
How much does a funeral or memorial service cost?
Funeral costs vary widely, depending on the wishes of individuals and their families. Our experienced preplanning counselors at each of our locations in the greater Denver area can talk with you about costs and payment plans.
How do I start preplanning?
To help you get started, we invite you to request Horan & McConaty’s complimentary Preplanning Kit by calling us at 720.545.9665 or find our free preplanning kit online.
Peace of Mind
There are many benefits to preplanning your funeral or memorial, but there is none greater than the peace of mind you give to yourself and your family, knowing your final wishes will be documented and met and your family won’t have to worry about making big decisions during an already difficult time. Relief and reassurance are the most common feelings families report to us about funeral preplanning at Horan & McConaty. We want to help you and your family in every way possible to empower you and put you at ease throughout the process.
If you’d like to learn more, call us at 303.745.4418 to speak with a member of our team at one of our seven Denver Metro locations. We are always available.
