New Year’s Resolutions: one you may not have thought about

Most people try to start off the new year strong with resolutions that prompt self-improvement or growth. This year, make a resolution to protect your family by preplanning the inevitable. Although funeral preplanning is not a fun topic to think about, there are valuable reasons why you shouldn’t put it off until the next new year.

Here are the top 3 reasons why preplanning now will give both you and your family peace of mind.

Reason #1: It’s never fun to think about, but it’s always necessary

Preplanning your funeral may not be on your list of preferred activities but recognizing the power that having a plan in place has for your loved ones is essential. When there is a death in the family, not only is there a period of mourning, but there is a period of uncertainty and constant questioning. Is this what my loved one wanted? Am I selecting the right arrangements? How can I make these decisions in my current state and ensure that they’re also financially sound?

Death isn’t fun to think about or to plan for, but one day it will happen. It could come at the golden age of 100, and you’d still have the same questions to answer about funeral planning. So, as you grow older, preplanning becomes a gift to the family members and friends that you’ll leave behind. Sitting down and creating a detailed plan with your provider of choice is one of the best ways you can make it easier for your family when the time comes. Doing this will ensure that your loved ones have everything they need to know in one spot, and they’ll have confidence that your arrangements are being done according to your wishes.

Reason #2: It’s better to do it early

No one wants to think about aging, and everyone wants to believe that they have many more years to come. Yet, if there’s one thing that’s true about this type of planning it’s that it’s better to do it early and update it later if need be. Having a plan in place in case something happens suddenly or unexpectedly can provide that peace of mind to your loved ones if life gets complicated down the road.

It’s easy to keep putting off a project like this for next year or the year after if you still feel young and healthy, but by creating time for preplanning in 2020, you’ll take care of yourself and your family well into the future.

Reason #3: It allows you to collaborate

Too often family members pass without arrangements ever being discussed. Children don’t know what their parents wanted, spouses don’t know what their partner desired, and the next of kin is left to fill in the blanks. By preplanning, you start the discussion, which is important for a variety of reasons.

For one, it helps everyone to get on the same page, which can alleviate some of the stress that comes along with grieving. While they will undoubtedly feel great loss, they won’t have to plan a funeral, wake or any other arrangements during such an emotional time. They’ll know they’re celebrating you in a comfortable way and will get to focus solely on that celebration without feeling responsible for it. Preplanning also allows you to help alleviate some or all of the financial burden.

At the heart of collaborating and preplanning is ensuring that the right paperwork will be available when the time comes. If your loved ones cannot locate your plans, it’ll add to the stress of the grieving process. Be sure to not only include your loved ones in your planning but also discuss it openly. Everyone should agree upon a safe and accessible place so that no one is left wondering what should happen when you’re no longer around to answer questions.

Final thoughts

Preplanning for the future can be a daunting task but doing it now can alleviate a future burden on your loved ones. As you work towards this resolution in 2020, let us help you. Creating this plan in advance is a gift to those you love, and it allows everyone to feel comfortable with an uncomfortable topic.

June 30, 2025
Have you ever been caught up in the moment and paid more for something than you planned? We’ve all been there. Maybe it was the new car after you got that promotion, the newly-released cell phone, or the upgraded cable/internet package that they talked you into when you called to cancel your service. When a death occurs, there is often so much to think about and so many decisions to be made, that it can be hard to be sure you are making the right choices. Sometimes this can lead to spending more than you normally would. Planning ahead lets you to calmly and carefully consider all of your choices, selecting only the products and services that you desire. Our experienced staff of preplanning professionals can explain all of your options, so you can make the choices that are right for you and your family. During the preplanning process, you will design the funeral service that you want, and arrange all the details, such as location, minister or celebrant, songs to be played, people to be recognized in your obituary, etc. This will take the burden of decision-making off of your loved ones, and give them peace of mind knowing that the service was exactly what you wanted. We will provide you with a clear, itemized list of services and merchandise, which will serve as a road map for your survivors to follow. You can set aside funds to pay for the arrangements in advance through the purchase of a funeral insurance policy. Life insurance policy funds can also be allocated to pay for funeral expenses, at the discretion of your beneficiary. Planning ahead allows you to fully consider all your choices, and avoid emotional overspending, so if you'd like to learn more, please give us a call.
June 16, 2025
“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves.” – Pico Iyer Traveling can provide an insightful perspective into your life, but when you're grieving, that perspective often widens into something much more. Grief can be isolating and lonely. Traveling can serve as a reminder to yourself that there is a whole world out there outside of the walls of your home and familiar places that may remind you of your loss. A vacation may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can aid in your grieving journey by not forgetting that you are grieving but making it easier to remember good times with your loved one. We’ve come up with four ideal vacations to consider to enrich your heart and soul, melt away stress and have a deeply rejuvenating and meaningful adventure. The Cruise Vacation Being away at sea can be healing for grieving on both an emotional and health level. Nothing says adventure like booking a voyage and being whisked away on a ship to forget about real life for a week or so. On a cruise, you’ll be waited on hand and foot and have access to food around the clock, on board entertainment and an environment of elegance and fun. Plenty of sunshine gives your body a Vitamin D dose, which boosts the immune system and offers natural anti-depressants from positive endorphins. Fresh ocean water also produces positive mental function and respiratory health. As a big plus, there are cruise packages for every budget. You can book anything from a quick 3-day cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, to a 14-day Alaskan or Mediterranean voyage. The Therapeutic Vacation While there is a time for adventure, for some the grieving journey calls for complete relaxation. In this case, an all-inclusive resort package in a tropical location may work wonders. Perhaps a more budget-friendly option is a getaway to a cabin or bed and breakfast? Many people choose to book stays specializing in therapeutic relaxation and spa treatments. All of these are awesome options if you want to lower the cortisol levels in your body and enjoy the soothing relaxation of treating yourself. In the United States, locations like Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Asheville, North Carolina can offer plenty of rest and relaxation. If you’re thinking of adding stamps to your passport, the Icelandic or Irish countryside can rejuvenate you. The Physical Activity Vacation Many people choose to grieve by engulfing themselves into rigorous physical activity. This is a great way to de-stress while improving your health and adding years to your life. Some people might choose vacations with world-class fitness centers or challenges, while others prefer to embark on natural physical challenges including climbs, hikes, and trails. Climbing Japan’s Mt. Fuji not only to physically exert yourself but also to boost your emotional health through confronting and conquering a challenge. You’ll have stories for life when you decide to explore natural rainforests or go kayaking through British Columbia or New Zealand. The Sight-Seeing Vacation Taking in breathtaking monuments, structures or natural wonders do a lot to expand your horizons and touch your emotions. These vacations work to put life and the world into perspective, which is essential in any grief journey. There are countless sights and landmarks to see. A trip to check out the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, New York Skyscrapers, Swiss Alps, Great Wall of China, Pyramids of Africa and the list goes on. You can’t go wrong with any of these vacations. Comb through them to see which touch your heart and fill needs that will help your mental, physical and spiritual health.
May 12, 2025
As we approach Memorial Day, we’re reminded that this day is more than just a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer. It's a solemn occasion—a time to pause, remember, and reflect on the extraordinary sacrifice of the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is about honoring those who never came home. It's a day to recognize the weight of freedom—the cost of which has been paid in lives lost on battlefields near and far. From the beaches of Normandy to the deserts of the Middle East, these heroes fought not for recognition, but for a cause greater than themselves: the preservation of liberty and the protection of the values we hold dear. But our reflection doesn’t stop there. While Memorial Day specifically honors the fallen, it's also an opportunity to acknowledge the living veterans and active service members who carry the burden of memory and continue to serve with courage and dedication. Their stories, resilience, and sense of duty remind us what it truly means to serve. This Memorial Day, let’s remember with gratitude, honor with intention, and live in a way that reflects the depth of their gift. To all who have served—and to those we have lost—we remember you. We honor you. We thank you.
April 28, 2025
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