Overcoming Barriers to Preplanning a Funeral

While most know that their funeral will cost them or their family members, only 23% of people over the age of 50 have prepaid a portion of funeral or burial expenses for themselves or someone else, according to a 2007 AARP survey. Sometimes, it can still be difficult to get over the idea of preplanning a funeral. There are not only legitimate questions that need to be answered, but often times, there are also emotional reasons that get in the way. Today we will discuss both the facts of why preplanning is important and how to get over the hurdle of emotions when it comes to talking about death.

Denial

One of the biggest emotional barriers to preplanning a funeral is denial. Whether it’s simply not taking the time to think about death or actively avoiding the discussion because of discomfort, denial is a big barrier. The fact remains that each of us will one day die. It’s not an easy thought to have, but if we face the fact head on and find the resources needed, it doesn’t have to be scary. For example, if you were to preplan your funeral now, you can be comforted by the fact that your loved ones will know how you would like to be honored and remembered at your death. You will have a say in what will happen after you are gone. Having that control can not only be comforting for you, but also to your family because they won’t have to play a guessing game or get angry with each other as they decide what you would have wanted. When you preplan, you put some control back in your hands.

Cost

There is a myth about preplanning that must be busted now: preplaning a funeral does not have to be expensive. In fact, by preplanning, you can reduce the cost that your family members would have paid and give them the peace of mind that they can focus on honoring your life, rather than figuring out how to pay for your funeral. For some great insight into your options for paying for a funeral, read our article Financing Your Funeral: Your Options. This article will give you a head start on knowing what the best option is for you to pay for a funeral.

Too Much or Too Little Information

With the digital age upon us, often there are way too many opinions about what is right and what is best. And sometimes there is a lot of content out there, but not much of it is helpful to your situation. The best way to overcome this barrier is to talk to trusted sources. Whether it’s reaching out to a professional here at Bakken Young or talking to friends and family who have gone through similar experiences, it can be helpful to have someone you trust to talk to. Keep in mind that you can also talk to more than one funeral home to make sure you find what you need. What’s most important is that you get the answers you need and feel comfortable with the services you receive.

Next Steps

If you are ready to take the next step and start talking with a professional about preplanning a funeral, we’ve got you covered. Simply head on over to our “Start Planning” page and fill out our form. One of us will be in touch with you shortly to answer any questions you may have. If you’d prefer to chat with us on the phone to start, you can easily call us at any of our four locations to get the conversation started. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you get started.