The Most Difficult Time to Decide


The death of someone you care for, coupled with wanting to make the right decisions and a limited amount of time to attend to all the details, leaves many families simply feeling overwhelmed. There are so many decisions that need to be made often when a family is the least prepared. That is why it is important to give thought to what you would like in
the event of your death and to pre-arrange your funeral or cremation service. For many people they have done everything they can to protect their family´s future...invested wisely...opened savings accounts...acquired insurance on their life and home, but they haven´t planned their funeral.


Alleviates the Burden on Family and Friends

It is something that nobody likes to think about. No one likes to talk about. And few people know what to do about. By pre-arranging your funeral or cremation service and cemetery arrangements you can take steps today to make it easier on those who will have to handle your affairs. Like any transaction, it is important for you to become informed about your options and their various costs when you are in a rational state of mind. It enables you to be in control, research alternatives and to select funeral services that have meaning to you and your family.

Pre-arranging really benefits survivors the most. When a funeral is not pre-arranged, someone, who may not be aware of your wishes, will have to make all the decisions. Unfortunately, these decisions are often clouded by grief and other emotions. In many cases, pre-arranging can help to ensure that your wishes are respected. You can discuss what you would like in the event of your death with other family members. Involving those most affected by your death can bring peace of mind and relief to the individuals who will have to carry out your wishes. Pre-arranging relieves family members of the psychological burden and guesswork in trying to make decisions, when they do not know your wishes. More importantly, knowing your wishes and carrying them out can bring great comfort to surviving family members and friends.

Time to Decide

When you pre-arrange your funeral, time is on your side. Would you like a traditional funeral or a simple, less elaborate service? Do you want to be cremated or buried? Would you like the service in a funeral home or at a place of worship? Will it be a private service or open to all? What type of casket/container would you prefer? Would you like an open or closed casket? Will there be visitation for family and friends or a private family viewing? How much would you like to pay for your services? What type of permanent memorial would you prefer? These are personal decisions. Which only you can decide.

Personalized to Reflect your Wishes

What is important is that the funeral is personalized to reflect your wishes and bring comfort to your family and friends. Like any event such as a wedding, birthday, or anniversary, a funeral gives your family and friends time to support each other and share memories, as well as an opportunity to commemorate your life. Today, no two funerals are alike. Photographs, favorite music, special readings and the involvement of family members and friends are very much encouraged.

Protection from Rising Costs due to Inflation

It also makes financial sense to pre-arrange your funeral. When you pre-arrange your funeral you benefit from purchasing at today’s prices, free from inflationary pressures of the future. Once you have determined the costs, you can make an objective decision regarding affordability. You may decide to spend less as a result of this objectivity. Pre-arranging also enables you to purchase the services you select in a planned and manageable fashion. Apart from helping to keep your financial burden to a minimum, it also eliminates the financial burden placed on surviving family members.

National Transferability

By making an informed decision today, you gain peace of mind in knowing that most of the details and expenses have been taken care of during what will be a very difficult time for your survivors. Only Dignity Memorial^® allows you to transfer your funeral plan anywhere in North America within our network of more than 1400 funeral homes and 400 cemeteries.

It's your Decision

Pre-arranging your funeral is a decision only you can make. But it is a decision that affects the people you love most.

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