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Pre-planning a funeral

Things you should know before you go:

Pre-planning a funeral
By Andrew Hodges
September 2008

The next series of articles will look at the purpose and options involved with pre-arranging a funeral.

Most people can understand the importance of planning ahead; it allows for a person find out information in order to make decisions that they can be confident in. When it comes to funerals, regardless if a selected funeral is relatively simple or elaborate, there are a number of choices to be made in a relatively short period of time. Very few people would decide to get married on a Monday and then plan the wedding day for the following Wednesday, but that is pretty much what happens with most funerals.

Why do people put off or not pre-plan a funeral? It’s a very easy thing to procrastinate about and let’s be honest, not exactly the most fun topic to think about. Some see their death as something that will happen a long time from now and don’t see the need to think about it at the present. Others, acknowledging the importance, find it difficult to discuss with family members. Even people who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, see doing such things as pre-planning a funeral as a sign of giving up hope in the eyes of their family and friends and even themselves.

But pre-arranging a funeral is an opportunity to carefully plan for an orderly and inevitable conclusion to life, acting as an important part of estate planning. By doing so, peace of mind is just one of the benefits, not only for the individual for whom the arrangements are being made, but more importantly for the survivors; your specific wishes are recorded, your family is provided with a clear guide as to your wishes and you can include others and make collective and informed decisions.

Once a plan is in place, it can be adjusted as time goes on. And if the funeral is pre-paid, there are a number of safeguards created by provincial legislation that regulates funeral homes, should a person wish to change their plans. To learn more about pre-arranged funerals visit the Ontario Board of Funeral Service Web site at www.funeralboard.com and click on consumer information.

Next month’s article will look at the non-funded funeral pre-arrangement.