For family members acting as caregivers for a terminally ill family or elderly member, planning a funeral is one of the tasks that will need to be handled. You may choose to plan the funeral with your family member, or you may have to handle all of the arrangements on your own. Use this brief guide to help you to make the decisions for when your loved one passes away.
Discuss Final Wishes
Discussing final wishes can be difficult under any circumstances, but it may be even more difficult for a terminally ill person. If your loved one has dementia or has difficulty with communication, you may want to consult with the loved one's primary care physician to determine when the best time to talk might be. Have a list prepared of things you want to discuss so you don't forget anything, and be sure to choose a time when you are both calm and comfortable. Some of the things you should discuss during this conversation might include:
Determine How The Services Will Be Paid For
Funerals can be expensive, so it is important to know in advance how the funeral will be paid for. If your loved one has any existing assets, you may want to discuss pre-planning the funeral so it is paid for ahead of time. You should also inquire about any life insurance policies that might cover the cost of funeral expenses. In the event that your loved one has no assets or life insurance policy, consider contacting your local funeral director to discuss any financing options or discounts you may be able to use to cover the costs of the funeral and burial. If your loved one is not able to make financial decisions, you may want to consider asking for a power of attorney so you can handle the finances for the funeral and any other money issues your family member may face.
Create A Funeral Action Plan
Creating a plan of action for your loved one's passing can make it easier for you to make any final arrangements and still have time to grieve your loss. Choose a restaurant for the funeral luncheon in advance, and have the name and phone number written down in your action plan so you can call immediately to make reservations. Create a list of family members to call to inform them of the passing, and consider pre-writing the obituary so you can submit it to the local paper and funeral home right away. All of these little things can help you to feel less overwhelmed after your loved one's passing, which can be particularly helpful if the days and weeks leading up to the death were difficult for you.
Caregivers have a lot of things to take care of every day. Planning a funeral and talking to your loved one about his or her final wishes won't be easy, but with a bit of planning, you can relieve some of your burden so you are able to celebrate your loved one's life and take some time to grieve your loss. Contact a funeral home like Bolton & Lunsford Funeral Homes for more information.
Share28 April 2016
When my father passed away a year ago, my mother didn't have any problems with the funeral or burial. My father planned his funeral in advance. He didn't want to burden my mom with any problems during her time of grieving. That hit me. I realized that I didn't have any plans for my own future, which would make it even harder on my wife and kids. So, I contacted a funeral home online and requested information about burial services. The funeral home provided me with many options that I could afford to pay over time or upfront. My wife also helped select burial plots for us because we didn't want to be separated — even after death. I encourage you to read through my blog. It offers great tips and advice on how to plan for your own future. Don't wait. You never know what life holds for you.