The number of people choosing to pre-fund their funerals has dramatically increased over the last decade. Most do so after witnessing or personally experiencing the complicated and expensive process of planning and paying for a funeral. The fact that more and more people are prearranging indicates that most people recognize it as a valuable investment, as well as a loving and thoughtful gesture.
Death brings with it grief, confusion, uncertainty, emotional upheaval and, at times, irrationality. Under these circumstances, it becomes extremely difficult for survivors to make the best decisions. Many families foresee these difficult times, and are choosing to preplan funeral needs to eliminate these uncertainties and surprises.
The French poet Jean De LaFontaine (1621-1695) wrote, “Death never takes the wise man by surprise, He is always ready to go.” Preplanning a funeral spares your survivors the burden of making last minute decisions that may be difficult and unclear due to stress and heartache. Now, in the absence of any emotional pressure, is the best time to make decisions. If you preplan and prepay, you will be giving your family some financial security and relieving them of any future financial burden.
Funeral planning involves the relatively easy process of making plans for your own funeral, or that of a loved one, well in advance of need. It is no less practical, no less important and no more complicated than planning for college tuition, a future wedding, a new home or retirement. Likewise, the advantages and benefits are no less valuable.
One of the biggest advantages of prearranging is the ability to lock-in many of these expenditures at today’s prices, regardless of what they may cost in the future.
Finally, the pre-selection of a funeral home eliminates efforts to search for one at the last minute. The funeral home will know what to do at the time of your death, and your family will know who to deal with and what to expect. Preplanning your own or your loved ones funeral needs is truly one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make.
If you have questions about preplanning options, or you would like additional information regarding preplanning funeral and cemetery needs, you can contact me personally by visiting Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, by telephone at 661-259-0800 ext. 147 or via email at mark.andrada@sci-us.com .