If you die without leaving behind a formal funeral plan or without talking to your family about your wishes, then they will not know how to plan the funeral you would have wanted. They will do their best, of course; however, they can’t honour your wishes if they don’t know what they are.

If you find that you want or do not want certain things, then now is a good time to make your preferences known. For example, you might decide that you prefer cremation over burial. You might have a preference on the type of coffin you want or the music you would like played during the service.

You can simply tell your family about things you would like to happen or make a full formal plan. In either case, you will know that your wishes have been heard. Your family can also take comfort in the fact that you were actively involved in this process. You will feel close at hand during the service.

A terminal diagnosis can be one of the most difficult things to deal with in life. You have to come to terms with the fact that you are likely to die sooner than you thought. This is a hard process.

While end-of-life counselling can help you come to terms with your diagnosis, practical actions help too. You might find that it helps to put your affairs in order now.

As you start to think about your funeral, you can get a better acceptance of your situation. This does not make the situation any less sad; however, you can feel like you are taking control. You get a chance to sort out your own affairs before you die.

This planning also helps your loved ones come to terms with your death. They will also likely struggle with their emotions at this time. Some of your family might find it hard to accept that you are going to die.

If you talk to your family about your funeral, then you start them on the road to acceptance. You help them prepare for your death and give them the comfort of knowing that they followed your wishes to the end.

While you can pre-arrange a funeral, either formally or informally, without paying in advance, you can also take out a prepaid plan at this stage of life. Here, you work closely with your funeral director to plan your funeral; you then pay for it now. After your death, your funeral director organises everything for your family according to your plan.

You might feel better knowing that everything is taken care of in advance. You get the funeral you wanted, and your family does not have to cover its costs. Worrying about money after a bereavement can be extremely stressful. If you organise things now, then you give your family one less thing to worry about.

If you want compassionate and practical help and advice at this difficult time, then contact Leura Memorial Gardens. Our funeral directors can help you plan your funeral to make things easier for both you and your loved ones during this emotional time.