Blog- How To's

Talking about death is not the most uplifting and pleasant conversation to have, especially regarding your own death. However, when your time comes, if you would like your funeral conducted in a certain way, or have other funeral wishes you want fulfilled, it is necessary that you speak to your loved ones – often your family – about it in an open manner.

So, to make this process easier for you, here are some useful tips we would like to offer:

• Have them all together, and be direct and open in communicating your wishes

Firstly, you have to gather everyone you want to impart your wishes to – parents, siblings, partner, children, etc – in a single room. Make sure you choose a quiet, peaceful and private room where you and the people closest to you can discuss the topic openly. When you tell them your wishes, be direct. Tell them clearly if you want to be buried or cremated, whom you want the pallbearers to be, whom you want to give the eulogy, etc.

• Remember to reassure them that your aim is to help, not to upset

Granted this will be an emotional conversation, especially if you are in poor health and death is imminent. So make sure to reassure your loved ones that the point of having this conversation and imparting your last wishes to them is so that they can be relieved of at least some amount of stress during a rough time, and that your intention is not to upset them.

• Include your funeral wishes in your will as well as a separate file

Without legal documentation, your family or whoever plans your funeral is not legally obliged to carry out your wishes. Remember to include your funeral wishes in your last will. If possible, write down, in a detailed manner, your funeral wishes in a separate form for more clarity.

Thanks for reading,

Karen