Why More People Are Preplanning Their Funerals

Preplanning your funeral is the life admin task that many Australians are ticking off their list as we speak! From saving future costs to preventing family conflict down the line, there are many reasons why organising your funeral while you’re still on the planet is an A+ life decision!

Ahead, discover why more Australians are preplanning their funerals long before they bite the dust.

Why preplan a funeral?

1. Relieve the burden on loved ones

The number one reason why many people choose to preplan their funeral is to alleviate the burden on loved ones after they pass.

Particularly when no instructions are left behind, it can be extremely challenging for family and close friends to know what kind of send-off you would have wanted. 

Additionally, allowing family and loved ones to spend more time together when they grieve is one of the most thoughtful gifts to leave behind.

2. Prevent family conflict

When a funeral isn't preplanned and no specific instructions are outlined in the will, the onus falls on the family, who are left to consult a funeral director, religious or spiritual leader or celebrant and make decisions on behalf of their loved one.

However, this can often lead to tensions within families as members may have differing opinions on various aspects such as burial preferences, choice of celebrant, venue, and even minor details like music selection or catering. To alleviate this burden and potential conflicts that may pop up, many individuals opt to preplan their funerals.

By doing so, they remove the complexity for their families, allowing them to focus solely on grieving when the time comes, without the added stress of the bureaucratic or organisational tasks that arise when planning a funeral.

3. Avoid future price hikes

When you pre-plan your funeral, you lock in today’s price. That means that you don’t have to worry about rising costs due to inflation, ‘cause – look at that – you’ve already paid!

Depending on your finances, you can either pay the full amount upfront or arrange a payment schedule to cover the cost of your funeral in instalments. Prepaying for cremation, in particular, also ensures that your preferences are clear, sparing your family the need to speculate or research various options.

This proactive step also relieves the time constraints associated with traditional funerals. Your loved ones can then, for example, organise a celebration of life service at their convenience, which is especially beneficial if they live interstate or overseas.

4. Plan the funeral you want

Many people opt to preplan their funerals because, well, they want a proper send-off that reflects them and that celebrates and honours their lives! Whether it involves specifying music choices, selecting a preferred celebrant, or even opting for a celebration of life service rather than a traditional funeral, preplanning gives you the autonomy to tailor the arrangements according to your preferences. 

Not only does preplanning your funeral allow you to personalise your very own sendoff, but it also has the potential to facilitate a more healing grieving process for your loved ones in the future.

Wrap up 

Aside from saving on costs (and avoiding future family conflict), knowing that your affairs are in order and your wishes will be followed is the ultimate peace of mind and the best gift to give your family and yourself. After you’ve dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s, it’s time to sit back, relax and live your best life to the fullest!

Ready to preplan your funeral? Get started today or contact us to learn more.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. This blog should not be relied upon as legal, financial, accounting or tax advice.