How to Preplan a Funeral

Losing a parent is never easy, and dealing with personal and legal matters while grieving can make the experience even more overwhelming. By preplanning funeral arrangements, you can make the transition easier for your loved ones. Addressing decisions, allocating funds, and clarifying responsibilities ahead of time can alleviate the emotional and financial strain that might otherwise fall on your children. This article explores how preplanning can make this challenging time more manageable for your family.

Start the Conversation About End-of-Life Wishes
The best place to begin when considering end-of-life decisions is to have an open conversation with your family. While it can be a difficult discussion, it ensures your preferences are known and gives your family members a chance to express their own thoughts. It also helps clarify their responsibilities after your passing, providing comfort in knowing what needs to be done.

This conversation should cover all important aspects of end-of-life decisions, including who will make the choices, what resources are available, and what steps need to be taken. While discussing with family is essential, consulting a funeral expert can also offer valuable guidance and additional information.

The following sections break down key areas that need to be considered when preplanning after the death of a parent: Funeral Planning, Legal Affairs, Financial Planning, Prepaid Arrangements.

Funeral Choices
When preplanning a funeral, three main factors need to be addressed: final disposition, the type of funeral services desired, and the budget.

Final Disposition
Final disposition refers to the method of handling the body after death. Here are some common options:

Cremation: The body is exposed to intense heat and reduced to bone fragments, which are then processed into fine ash.

Aquamation: A chemical process known as alkaline hydrolysis, used to break down the body. It is legal in only a few Canadian provinces.

Burial: The body is placed in a casket and interred in the ground or a mausoleum.

Green Burial: A burial that minimizes environmental impact, using biodegradable materials.

Once you've chosen the final disposition, there are additional considerations, such as handling the cremated remains, purchasing a burial plot, or selecting a green burial site if available.

Funeral Services
The type of final disposition influences the funeral service options. For example, cremation offers flexibility, allowing services to be held before or after cremation and giving families more time to make decisions. On the other hand, burial requires more time-sensitive planning, especially when embalming is not involved. Traditional burials often include formal services, such as viewings, funeral processions, and more detailed coordination.

Funeral Budget
Funerals can be expensive, and it’s crucial to plan a budget in advance. Burial services tend to be more costly due to the expenses of caskets, burial plots, and transportation. Cremation, however, can be a more affordable option, though direct burial or cremation may save even more by eliminating unnecessary services.

It's important to research costs beforehand to understand the financial commitments involved.

Settling Legal Affairs
After a parent's death, several legal matters must be managed, including administering the estate, distributing assets, and canceling benefits and licenses. A will is essential to ensuring the deceased’s wishes are followed and to simplify the legal process.

The will should appoint an executor responsible for overseeing the estate and funeral arrangements. Without a will, the estate will be managed by the next of kin, which may lead to complications and disputes. Having a clear will in place can avoid these issues and ensure that your assets and belongings are distributed according to your wishes.

Handling Finances
Estate management involves handling the deceased's finances. Having a well-organized plan for accessing accounts, settling debts, and distributing assets can relieve the financial burden on surviving family members. One way to simplify this is by appointing beneficiaries for accounts like RRSPs or TFSAs, or by opening joint accounts to avoid probate.

Preplanning Funeral Arrangements
One of the best ways to ease the burden on your loved ones is by prepaying for funeral services. By planning and paying for your final arrangements ahead of time, you ensure that funds are available, and that your wishes are carried out without delay. Preplanning also helps protect against inflation, locking in prices for services that may increase over time.

Additional Resources
To make informed decisions about preplanning your funeral, explore articles on topics like cremation, funeral services, and funding options. There are also government programs that can assist with funeral costs, which may provide financial relief to your family.

If you’re considering preplanning your funeral, start today by requesting a preplanning meeting.

I will help you find helpful tools and resources to make the process easier for both you and your family.