5 Common Misconceptions About Pre-Planning Your Funeral

Pre-planning a funeral, also known as prearrangement or preneed, is becoming increasingly common among adults, who view it as a logical extension of preparing a will or other estate plan. Some myths about planning your funeral may discourage you from doing so.

However, many families could benefit from the peace of mind that comes from having final arrangements made in advance. Our Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home team has compiled this list of common misconceptions about pre-planning your funeral.

Misconceptions About Pre-Planning Your Funeral

The following are some of the most common misconceptions about planning your funeral:

1. It Is Easier To Avoid The Subject Of Death Than It Is To Discuss It

It is actually more difficult for family members if people do not discuss how they want to be cared for in their final days. Preparing ahead of time for a memorial service can alleviate the burden of grief and uncertainty on a family following a death in the family.

Schedule a time to talk about it, and explain that you want to make things easier for everyone in the house in the long run. It is important to remind people that making funeral arrangements in advance is a loving act that relieves the deceased's loved ones of the burden of carrying out their final wishes.

2. Discussing Death's Inevitability Is Futile

Death is so far in the future that dwelling on it now is pointless. However, it is a significant factor. When death is imminent, having difficult conversations about final wishes becomes much more difficult. It's easier to talk to loved ones about traumatic events when they happen earlier in life when there's more distance between the speaker and the event in question. Proper planning and preparation while the person is still alive and in good health can transform a funeral from a painful reminder of a person's death into a joyous celebration of their life.

3. Pre-Plan Funerals Even If You Are Financial Secure

Everyone, regardless of their financial situation, should plan ahead. Last-minute preparations ensure that the deceased's wishes are honored and that the funeral is conducted with dignity. It also guarantees current market prices if the family decides to pay for the prearrangement, preventing them from spending too much money on unnecessary items or services.

You never know when a severe illness, injury, or economic downturn will deplete your savings and leave you unable to pay for a funeral. Prepayment ensures service payment and saves family members from having to pay out of their own pockets.

4. Your Family Is Aware Of Your Final Arrangements

The decision between a traditional burial and a more modern cremation is just one aspect of an individual's final arrangements. If the deceased is to be buried, interred, or their ashes scattered, where would they like their remains to be kept? Do they wish to have a memorial service or cremation where loved ones can pay their respects and honor their life?

Will there be any compromise with regard to religious or cultural practices? What kind of music or funeral songs are appropriate? Is there anything, in particular, they want to read? Is a solemn or joyous mood more appropriate? Knowing the answers to these and other questions can help make sure that a person's last wishes are honored.

5. Make It Easier On Your Loved Ones

While the deceased may not be concerned with the details of their funeral, those left behind are. Arguing, disagreeing, and adding stress during a difficult time can all result from family members failing to understand exactly what a loved one wants for their final arrangements. Even if a person's loved ones don't have strong feelings about what they want or don't want at their funeral, planning your funeral now will benefit them greatly.

There is no reason to put off making final preparations until the last minute. Whether your motivation is to ensure that your wishes are carried out or to relieve your loved ones of the burden of making difficult decisions after your death, planning ahead is a wise and loving act.

If you have any questions about planning your funeral or any other services we provide, such as funeral pre-planning, please feel free to contact Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home at (718) 282-1164 or fill out the contact form.