Funeral Preplanning
Making your funeral wishes known
Preplanning Is Not A Morbid Subject
We all know that death is part of life and that it awaits us. It might be tomorrow, or it might be many years down the line. Because we know this, it is only sensible to do funeral preplanning, ensure we have funeral cover, get our funeral wishes on paper and make them known and use a Life File for all the documents our loved ones will need. Talking about our funeral wishes and engaging in funeral preplanning is not a morbid subject that needs to be avoided. It is an opportunity to realise the value of life and our time with our loved ones. It is an opportunity to share our wishes for ourselves and our loved ones when we have passed. It is an opportunity to make the emotional time after our passing easier as our loved ones don’t need to worry about finances or funeral options because everything is already in place.
My Funeral Wishes
The value of funeral preplanning cannot be calculated.
We don’t want to think about the D-word. The subject is taboo. Everybody gets uncomfortable at the mention of it, but it is something we HAVE TO discuss and PLAN FOR because death does not make an appointment.
Doing some preplanning with regard to your own funeral means that you are considering your loved ones and you are actually doing them a huge favour. It will be a source of comfort for those you leave behind when the time comes if they know that your funeral is exactly what you would have wanted.
Furthermore, you are saving them from making important financial decisions when in fact they need time to grieve your passing. One cannot think straight when you have lost someone dear to you. It is the worst thing ever if your family members were kept in the dark and they have no idea what your wishes were because you never told anyone what you would have wanted!
It’s easy to say: “Don’t make a fuss over me. No funeral service for me. Just get rid of my body.” Just remember: the ritual of a funeral or memorial service is primarily for those who remain behind, not so much for the Deceased.
The funeral service is a gathering of family and friends, where they can cry, comfort, and support each other openly.
You can relay your funeral wishes informally by completing the MY FUNERAL WISHES Form below and discussing it with a close family member. You may wish to consult your funeral director and give your wishes in writing. Some people also pay for their funerals in advance.
Life File
Ensure that your wishes are easily accessible in case of emergency by keeping a LIFE FILE – then make sure your next-of-kin knows where your LIFE FILE is kept! In doing some preplanning, the peace of mind that it brings for you and your family is immeasurable. Everybody will know that your affairs are in order. We would like to invite you to visit us for a cup of tea, whilst discussing this important matter. Make sure you are remembered for the right reasons and not because of the chaos you left behind for your loved ones to sort out, or because your affairs were not in order.
By Doing Preplanning, You Will:
- Make all arrangements timeously while everybody is calm and at peace, not leaving matters for your loved ones to sort out in their time of bereavement;
- Make your wishes known;
- Control and protect the cost of your funeral;
- Organise your personal administration and file all your documents in a LIFE FILE which is easily accessible to your loved ones when the time comes;
- Cover the cost of your funeral, so that there is no need to utilize your life insurance to pay for your funeral; and
- Make provision for unforeseen circumstances.
My Life File
What if you were to die today?
Will you leave chaos, confusion and havoc behind? Will your family know where to find your Last Will and Testament? Will they be able to make sense of all your documents? Will your Executor or Next-of-Kin have access to your personal and core documents?
EVERYBODY should have a LIFE FILE containing all their important documents, e.g. Copies of Last Will and Testament, ID-document, Marriage Certificate, Motor Vehicle Registration documents, etc.
There could be 42 items on your list! If you do not have a LIFE FILE, you will leave your loved ones with utter chaos if something should happen to you. You can request an example of the List of Documents required for a LIFE FILE from us. You can also order a life file from us online.
