Human beings are remarkably resilient and are often able to make important decisions in the face of considerable adversity. They may be able to deal with situations when their emotions are frayed, even though those times may be very difficult. Still, it's best to avoid this type of scenario if at all possible, and it's a good idea, therefore, for arrangements to be made ahead of time when a close family member becomes terminally ill. What can you do to make this task a lot easier before your loved one departs?
Dealing with Emotion
While it may certainly be possible to plan a proper funeral right after the date of death, it will surely put a lot more pressure on the situation. After all, you will want to give them a fitting sendoff and make sure that you celebrate their illustrious life with friends and family around. This does require a lot of careful thought and planning, so it makes a great deal of sense to get the detail in place before emotions begin to take over.
Careful Planning
This may also give you the opportunity to discuss the funeral details with the ailing relative so you know that it will all be in keeping with their wishes. Of course, this is not always possible, but you may be able to refer to some detail that they have put in their will in any case.
It's appropriate to bring in other members of the family at this stage together with very close personal friends. Together, you will be able to brainstorm and come up with the right funeral package, while taking into account all of the details. It's best to do this ahead of time as well to avoid any argument or last-minute confusion.
Addressing Costs
You will, of course, have to address the costs involved, but the sooner you start, the easier this may be to deal with. You may be able to prepay some of the costs but can certainly determine how much you will have to set aside for burial, cremation, the service itself, the post-event reception and so on.
Some people think that they may be able to rely on a life insurance policy to help to meet those costs, but it may take some time for the policy to be cleared, and there may be other costs to consider that could reduce its amount. Once again, it's better to be clear in advance so that there are no nasty surprises in store.
More Information
Talk to the directors at a local funeral home, and they can help you to prepare for this unavoidable event.
