Why you should discuss funeral and burial wishes

No one likes to think about their death, but no plan for you want to happen after you die leaves a significant burden for your loved ones.

There are many reasons why it's important to discuss your funeral and burial wishes. First, it can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out. If you don't have a plan, your loved ones may have to make decisions about your funeral and remains without knowing what you would have wanted. This can be difficult for them, and it may not be what you would have wanted.

Second, discussing your funeral and burial wishes can help to reduce stress and conflict for your loved ones. When you die, your loved ones will be going through a lot of emotions. They will be grieving your loss, and they may also be dealing with practical matters like executing your will or managing your material possessions. Having a plan in place can help to take some of the stress off of them.

Third, discussing your funeral and burial wishes can help to ensure that your funeral is a reflection of your life. When you think about your funeral, what do you want it to be like? Do you want a traditional funeral with a burial, or would you prefer a more non-traditional service? Do you want to be cremated, or do you want to be buried? What kind of music do you want to be played? What kind of flowers do you want? By discussing your wishes with your loved ones, you can help to ensure that your funeral is a celebration of your life.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to sit down with your loved ones and discuss your funeral and burial wishes. It may not be the most pleasant conversation, but it's an important one. By having a plan in place, you can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are not burdened with making difficult decisions during a difficult time.

Here are some tips for discussing your funeral and burial wishes:

• Start the conversation early. The sooner you start talking about your wishes, the more clarity of mind you’ll have. Don’t wait until you’re dying, talk about this now, so your family is able to understand and process your wishes. 

• Be honest about your wishes. Don't be afraid to say what you want, even if it's not what your loved ones expect.

• Be specific. The more specific you can be about your wishes, the easier it will be for your loved ones to follow them.

• Record it. When it actually comes time to carry out your wishes, your loved ones will be under a lot of stress – will they remember what you shared?  Make it easy by writing it down and making it easily accessible by them. 

Talking about your funeral and burial wishes is an important part of planning for the future. It will help your loved ones know what you want and make the funeral planning process easier for everyone involved.