Is there ever a right time?
We’re not sure if there is ever a comfortable time to discuss with your family and loved ones the things you want for your own funeral… but there is a good time. And, without wanting to make a joke, it’s certainly before you die.
It’s one of those questions and one of those conversations that none of us look forward to, but you might be surprised at how comforting talking about it can be. In fact, we would encourage everyone, at the very least, to write down what you want at your funeral (including music and venue) and put it with your will and other documents. Make sure your loved ones know about it too.
Pre-payment
Another way to support your family and loved ones when they have to do the unthinkable and arrange your funeral is to take out a pre-paid funeral plan. In recent COVID-hit times, the need to prepare for the cost of dying has been made clearer than ever.
None of us know how much time we’ve got left, and we really don’t want to spend our lives worrying about it. But when it’s our time, we certainly don’t want it all to fall to our family and loved ones to bear the cost. They will be struggling enough with their loss and if we can help in any way it’s got to be worth thinking about.
Pre-paid funeral plans are designed to help everyone, and here are some of the ways.
Save money
A pre-paid funeral plan, in effect, pays for a funeral at today’s price. Therefore, if you don’t need it for 10 or more years, that’ll be a significant saving for your family. The SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2021 makes it very clear that every year since 2004 has seen a rise in the cost of funerals, so we can be fairly certain that this trend will continue.
Safeguard your family from financial burden
When you buy a pre-paid funeral plan, it means that your family and loved ones don’t have to pay for your funeral, unless they want to make their own changes. Without a pre-paid plan, the cost of a funeral can be met by the estate of the deceased, but there might not be enough to cover it, or your family might choose to cover the expenses prior to probate. Better, surely, to remove the worry.
Make your wishes known
A pre-paid funeral plan is a very effective way to allow you to choose the things you want in your own funeral. Burial or cremation? Minister or celebrant? What music do you want? Where do you want to be laid to rest? Which funeral director do you trust to support your family? There are so many decisions to take when a loved one dies, and a pre-paid funeral plan can make your wishes clear in advance.
Easier for your loved ones
A pre-paid funeral plan makes a difficult and emotional time easier for everyone. Because you will have done much of the work already, it means there are fewer decisions, costs, and even arguments. Pre-paid and pre-sorted.
Talk about it
We want to encourage you to talk to our funeral plan specialist, Sarah Dewey, about a pre-paid funeral plan. There is no obligation in a conversation and we promise we will never put you under pressure with a hard sell. In fact, many people, even if they don’t buy a plan, feel that the conversation itself helps them think more clearly about what can be a tricky topic. Simply email funeralplans@hunnaball.co.uk to make contact, or call 01376 511592.
