Making your own funeral preparations

“You wouldn’t dream of giving birth without some idea of what to expect and a birth plan…. Yet we face death with no equivalent preparation.”

Death is still a taboo subject, even though it’s becoming less so in recent years. However, what is still very evident is the lack of preparation, which we give so willingly to other subjects, but don’t give to death. In this blog, we want to share why preparing for death can be a real benefit to both yourself and your loved ones.

It can reduce stress

After death, there are a lot of things that need to be organised, from funerals and burial plots to the division of wills and wakes. If these are planned in advance, maybe by taking out a funeral plan, or simply talking through what you’d like for your funeral with a funeral director or loved one, then there’s far less stress for those left behind after you go.

The best way to organise this for a loved one is to create a folder full of all the details about your funeral, your will, and any accounts or digital personas you have that need to be sorted out after death. Then, if the worst happens, all the information is available to your loved ones and they’ll be able to sort things out with minimal stress in a difficult time.

You can make plans for your money

If you’re a charitable soul, either with regards to organisational charities or family members, preparing for your death in advance with a will can make sure that the right people or organisations get the money that you’ll be leaving behind.

Even while you’re alive, you’ll be able to make sure that the charities you support are supplied with your donations. Once you pass, your will ensures that your donations are continued. With regards to loved ones, preparing for your death financially by giving them gifts of money before you die means that they’ll be able to avoid inheritance tax on those gifts.

There is a cap on how much you can give during a year, around £3,000, and it has to have been given 7 years before you die for it not to be included in inheritance tax.

You can choose your funeral

The benefit to planning your funeral prematurely, beside the reduction of stress for your loved ones, is that you can make sure that the day is exactly what you want. If you would like a certain piece of music playing at the beginning of the day, you can specify that and so much more.

You can make sure that your wishes are followed with regards to cremation vs burial, you can choose where you would like to be laid to rest, and you can make sure the service is organised through the right people.

You can remove financial burdens from your loved ones

Funerals can be expensive and, if you don’t plan ahead, the burden of fronting the costs for your funeral can fall on your loved ones. Often this will mean spending thousands of pounds, or using any money from your estate, to pay for your funeral instead of that money going to who you had designated.

Solve this problem by finding an appropriate funeral plan that allows you to pay for your funeral during the course of your life instead of having to find the money after your death.

You can make sure your loved ones are cared for

When you die, unfortunately, you will no longer be able to make sure that your loved ones are looked after, as they were in life. However, preparing for death can give you an advantage in this instance.

By making a will that details exactly where your estate and finances go after your death means that you can ensure support for your loved ones. You will also be able to decide who to give items and keepsakes to as well, so they can be supported emotionally too.

If you’re planning for your funeral, in connection with preparing for death, then finding the right memorial will be on your list of things to do. If you’d like help with this aspect of the process, don’t hesitate to contact us at County Stone Memorials – we’re more than happy to give you a helping hand.