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.

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.

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.

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.

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.