Plan ahead to make it easier for loved ones

In communities where cultural or religious traditions are strong, people don’t worry about their funeral.

They know that when the time comes those closest to them will know what to do – custom and duty will see to it that things are done properly.

While this eliminates choice, it also eliminates indecision.

In communities where traditions have been left behind, dying people have no such assurance.

When death comes, unless loved ones have been told, they won’t necessarily have a clue about what to do.

If your loved ones do not know how you want to be cared for before you pass away and, afterwards, how you would like your body to be cared for and disposed of, you will need to tell them.

Making a plan for your funeral is, understandably, something we never really want to do.

Dying for most of us is not going to be a sudden incident, but a lengthy process.

Here is our guide to what you need to do to plan your final farewell to help ease a little of the burden for your loved ones. ● Take the time to put your affairs in order. ● Specify how you wish to be looked after in your last days. ● Choose who will speak and act for you when you can no longer do so for yourself. ● Specify where you would like to die – for example, at home or in a hospice, and give a thought to the way you die. ● Point out if you wish to have your organs donated. ● You should also choose how your body will be cared for or to whom it will be donated, and whether you wish to be buried or cremated. ● You can also plan your funeral ceremony.

An event like this spans several separate professional domains, each of which has its own specialists – solicitors, will writers, financial advisers, medics, undertakers, celebrants and caterers – all of whom organise their own business.

The only person who can join them all up is you.

However reluctant they are,