Why It's Important to Plan Your Funeral or Memorial Today Planning a funeral or memorial service is an important, yet often overlooked, task. Although it may feel uncomfortable to think about your own mortality, planning ahead can provide peace of mind and make life easier for your family members after you're gone. No matter what your age, developing an action plan today can help ensure that the celebration of your life will be as special and meaningful as possible.
Making Decisions Now Can Save Time and Money Later When you plan in advance, you have the opportunity to make decisions that reflect your wishes. You can choose the type of service (religious or non-religious) that best honors your memory and decide who will officiate it. Preplanning also gives you the chance to select a final resting place for yourself or any other family members who might be buried with you. Additionally, making these decisions now can save money in the long run because prearranged funerals are typically less expensive than those planned at the time of death. Gather Important Documents In addition to major decisions such as which funeral home you'd like to use, there are other details that need to be taken care of before your death. For instance, you'll want to gather all important documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, military records and Social Security numbers in one secure location so they are easily accessible should anyone need them in the future. You will also want to keep copies of insurance policies, wills and any other financial documents in this same place. This paperwork is invaluable when it comes to settling an estate after someone dies; having it organized ahead of time eliminates much stress on grieving family members who would otherwise have to search for this information themselves. Make Sure Your Family Knows Your Wishes Once all legal items are arranged and documents gathered together, share them with family members who will be responsible for taking care of things after you're gone—this is especially important if no one else has access to these items until after you die. Be sure they know exactly where everything is located so they won't waste valuable time searching for them when they need them most; this is also a great opportunity for family members to ask questions about anything they don’t understand or need clarification on before it's too late. Your Homework Gather all of your important documents in one place (physically or digitally) and send a text or email to two loved ones letting them know where to find them in the event of your death. No one likes thinking about death—but doing so now will make life easier for those left behind later on down the road. Taking steps today such as selecting a funeral home, gathering important documents and sharing wishes with family members will give everyone peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of should something happen unexpectedly tomorrow. There’s no better time than now; start planning your funeral or memorial service today!
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october is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month For anyone who has ever experienced a pregnancy loss, whether it be through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death, the grief can be all-consuming. And yet, despite how common these losses are—1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss—there is often a deafening silence around the topic. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity for us to open up the conversation about pregnancy loss and to offer our support to those who have been affected by it.
The National Coalition for Maternal & Infant Health (NCMIH) has made it their mission to eliminate preventable maternal and infant mortality and morbidity by promoting health equity for women, infants, and families. They provide support and resources for those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, as well as for families who are struggling with infertility or miscarriage. How You Can Support Someone Who Has Experienced a Pregnancy Loss: If you know someone who has experienced a pregnancy loss, there are a few things you can do to support them: Listen without judgement. It can be tempting to try to offer words of comfort or advice, but sometimes the best thing you can do is simply be there for your friend or loved one. Let them know that you are available to talk whenever they need to, and resist the urge to tell them how they should feel or what they should do. Acknowledge their grief. Acknowledging that their grief is valid and real can go a long way in helping your friend or loved one feel supported. Avoid phrases like "it wasn't meant to be" or "everything happens for a reason," which can minimize the gravity of their experience. Offer practical support. Practical support might include babysitting their other children so they can have some time to themselves, cooking them dinner, or simply running errands for them. Doing something tangible to help lighten their load can make a world of difference. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is an important time for us to remember those who have experienced a pregnancy loss and to offer our support. If you know someone who has been affected by pregnancy loss, reach out and let them know you're there for them. Listen without judgement, acknowledge their grief, and offer practical support where you can. By coming together and breaking the silence around this topic, we can provide much-needed comfort and healing for those who need it most. |