The final farewell: Plan your own funeral
The final farewell: Plan your own funeral
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.” Steve Jobs As Steve Jobs said, It’s inevitable that we are all going to die. The missing part of the puzzle is the where, when, how and why.
Your eventual death is certainly not something you want to think about on a daily basis but it’s wise and helpful to take some time to get things in order. Organizing your affairs typically includes writing a will, gathering important papers, designating power of attorney, and making decisions should you fall to poor health. One critical step that should not be neglected is planning your funeral or memorial service. Your death will be an emotional time for family members and significant others. By planning your own farewell those special to you won’t be burdened with the task and you will also be assured that you’ll be saying good bye in the style you prefer. Take some time to get things in order and make known in writing your wishes about the type of service you wish to have. Consider purchasing a gravesite or if cremation is an option. Consider funeral homes, cremation, write a few obituaries for yourself and determine if there is special music or funeral poems you would like read at the funeral parlor or service.
Where will your final farewell be held?
By planning your memorial service in advance you can be very specific about the type of service you want to have and be celebrated exactly as you wish. Funeral homes serve as a gathering place for family and friends to say their final farewell, thus the term funeral parlor is used interchangeably. Funeral homes undeniably are places to say a final goodbye but these days they can be places of mourning or places to celebrate your life. Look for local funeral homes and make decisions about the type of party you wish to throw. Will you want photos remembering special events in your life? Are there meaningful funeral poems that you wish to have read at the funeral parlor? Will you want a visitation before the funeral service or do you prefer cremation? Contact local funeral homes to help you plan your event. Funeral directors will offer advice and services to help you plan ahead.
Obituaries can be written before parting
Whether you’re planning to use a funeral parlor or you are going to be cremated, obituaries are appropriate. Obituaries can be written for you and by you if you plan ahead. It’s your chance to be remembered exactly as you wish and to say things about yourself that you would like others to remember. Your family members and significant others will be grateful that you’ve taken the step to write your obituary. Self-written obituaries offer a beautiful way for you to express what life meant to you. This is often difficult for family members to do for you.
Cremation can be planned ahead
Funeral homes can help you plan for your cremation. As with traditional burial services, there are decisions to be made about cremation. You can have a visitation in a funeral parlor, a church service, a traditional funeral or a celebration of life and still be cremated. You also will need to decide what you want done with your cremated remains. After cremation will your remains be buried in a cemetery, placed in an urn or scattered by family members? Local funeral homes can help you make these decisions.
As Steve Jobs said, It’s inevitable that we are all going to die. The missing part of the puzzle is the where, when, how and why. By making arrangements ahead of time about funeral homes, cremation, obituaries and even funeral poems and photos you will be remembered in the way you wish. Your passing will be a stressful and l emotional time for your family members and significant others and they will appreciate knowing you’ve organized your farewell party.
HT May & Son funeral home has helped families and loved ones through the grieving process for more than a century. We have locations in Columbia, Boonville, Sedalia and serve the Fayette Missouri area. To find out about how to plan ahead, contact us today.
