Things to think about when talking funerals

Losing a loved one and coping with a death in the family is one of the toughest and most stressful things that a person has to cope with. It is not just about the grief, which is obviously a major thing, it is also a time of having to organise the logistics around a fitting farewell for a person. As much as there is only chance to make a first impression, so too is it only possible to stay a final goodbye once and the pressure to get that right is enormous. For most people coping with death and arranging funerals is not something that they have to do often – that is good news – but what it does mean is that most people don’t have much experience in organizing and arranging funeral proceedings. So, in order to help make it a little easier, here are a few things to consider and plan for.

Work with experts

At a time of great stress, one of the most important things to know is that you don’t need to do everything yourself. Rather recognise that there are experts out there who deal with these grave matters on a daily basis. If you don’t know where to start, try a Google search for something like ‘budget funerals Mornington Peninsula’. This should lead you to an appropriate partner in your area. It certainly won’t absolve you of playing a role in the proceedings or having to work and make things happen, but they will steer you in the right direction, they will have the right contacts and they will know what is expected – it will make the whole ordeal a whole lot more comfortable.

Talk about it

One of the best ways to plan for a funeral is to make sure that you have spoken through the topic of death while all the participants are still alive. Avoid, at all costs, the situation of having to plan a funeral for a spouse or parent with whom you have never spoken about the process. It is critical to know things like if they want to be buried or cremated. Do they want a church service or something alternative? Who do they want there? Where do they want their ashes scattered? Have they got funeral insurance? These are all important questions to know the answer to. It is an awkward topic to talk about, but it is worth doing to avoid even more awkwardness once the person has departed for the afterlife.

No pressure

So many people feel a need to go big with the funeral that they arrange for their loved one. This is not necessary, and it is important to remember that the person who has died is no longer there. They are not judging you and they almost certainly wouldn’t want you to get into financial or emotional trouble off the back of organizing a funeral. So, don’t spend cash that you don’t have and, if you don’t have it in you to give a talk or eulogy then you don’t have to. The funeral is a chance to say goodbye to a person and you should ensure that you do it in a way that feels appropriate for you.