Funeral & Cremation Facts: Planning Ahead

Q: What’s the best advice you would give someone about funerals?

A:

Very simply: be prepared. That doesn’t mean merely to expect to have a funeral or mention your final wishes to your spouse, but to plan everything in advance— and in detail—with the help of a professional. This is the single best piece of advice we’d recommend to anyone. The most difficult thing we see is families who are not prepared for the loss of a loved one. The surviving family members are forced to create a plan while they mourn, which can make an emotional situation worse. There are over a hundred questions that need to be answered before a funeral can take place. That’s a lot to think about when you should be focused on coming together as a family. A plan can help your loved ones to better cope with the loss, allowing them to focus on what’s most important. And, you can feel comfortable in knowing that your personal wishes are known.

Q: Is it really possible to plan my own life’s celebration?

A:

Yes! By making your arrangements in advance, you can plan a service or memorial of your choosing. And whether that means special music and flowers or a grandiose catered event with a string quartet, it’s all up to you. We help individuals create celebrations that truly reflect their personalities and passions. The result is a beautiful and memorable event that allows family and friends to say good-bye in a unique way and know that they have carried out their loved one’s wishes.

Q: Do you have any advice about talking to my family about funeral planning?

A:

One way to make the discussion less difficult is to approach the topic as a means of everyone being prepared in advance. Set aside a time when your family can gather in a comfortable setting, and allow your loved ones to share their thoughts about your plans. To ease the discussion with your family, we offer a free Insider’s

Guide to Funeral & Cremation Planning that includes inspirational ideas and simple steps to planning an unforgettable memorial. In it, you’ll find information about service options, recording your wishes, locking in pricing and more. You can visit CARP.DignityMemorial.com to download your free Insider’s Guide today. This information is brought to you by Dignity Memorial ® providers of Toronto. We’re dedicated to providing our community with personal, compassionate care and are proud to offer special savings and benefits to CARP members and their families. To learn more, call 866-668-1841 or visit

CARP.DignityMemorial.com today.