Pre-Planning a Funeral
We plan for every aspect of life. Having a family, vacations, weddings, retirement - all are planned. We prepare for what might happen, such as fires, accidents or floods. But, because most of us do not like to think about death, we avoid making important funeral decisions in advance.
"Why should I prearrange my funeral?"
There are several advantages to you and to your family. First, you can arrange for a meaningful type of funeral service. You can select the casket and other merchandise that you want. This relieves your family of the burden of making those decisions at a time when they are emotionally distressed. They will not have to guess about your wishes. They will know because you have taken the time and the consideration to plan ahead.
Family members making funeral arrangements immediately following a death often are confused and upset. Just when they are struggling to cope with their grief, they must also attend to the details of a visitation and funeral and begin adjusting to life without the person who died.
Planning your funeral ahead of time can remove some of the emotional burden from your family. There are many decisions to be made when arranging a funeral. Making these decisions today, with the help of those close to you, permits you to tend to every detail and allows you to make logical, well thought out plans, which your family will appreciate.
You gain the confidence that results from making unhurried, informed decisions. Plus, prearranging ensures that you will have exactly the kind of funeral you want.
Please visit the Illinois Funeral Directors Association Preplanning website at http://www.ifda.org/preplan/ for more information regarding preplanning a funeral. This website contains valuable information regarding all aspects of preplanned funerals. You can also learn about pre-funding funerals, so your family will not be burdened with the financial aspects of your final wishes.
Pre-Planning Form
Our Pre-Planning Guide is a form you can complete right on your computer and print out that includes important information for your family in the case of your own death. It lets you share your own wishes regarding your funeral and interment, such as which services you would like and where you would like to be buried. You can also list where important paperwork such as your will, birth certificate and military discharge are stored.
Complete the form and store in a safe place, where it will be easily found. You might also want to share a copy with a family member. You may also bring or mail a copy of the form to the funeral home and we will keep your wishes on file for you. Please visit http://www.ifda.org/files/public/Preplanning_Guide_Fillable.pdf to view and complete the form.
If you have any questions regarding preplanning or prefunding a funeral, please call the funeral home and we can answer any questions you have.
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