Plan Ahead – Options and Considerations
In addition to our work as funeral celebrants, we are passionate about supporting people who want to plan in advance for their own end-of-life and after death arrangements. Part of the work of Final Blessings is to promote open conversations in which it is safe to explore questions and ideas related to death. As people continue to become more interested in personal approaches to funerals and mourning observances, it is even more important to create opportunities to clarify and reflect on what each person and family needs/wants.
Planning ahead is about gaining knowledge about end of life and after-death options available to you so that you can make choices that fit your values, beliefs, and financial situation. There are many benefits to planning ahead but what we hear most often from people is that it brings peace of mind and reduces stress for your loved ones at the time of death. In addition, if you develop a financial plan for paying for your desired services, it will ease the financial burden on your survivors. Final Blessings does not sell funeral merchandise, cremation or cemetery services, or financial products. We are committed to exploring options with and for you.
What so many have come to realize is that these important conversations aren’t only about dying – but about living mindfully and dying consciously according to your values and beliefs. It happens that planning for your end-of-life and after-death care often ends up helping to clarify what matters most to you, what and who you value most, and how you want to live.
Both Anne and Marilaurice are experienced in working with individuals, families and groups to answer a wide variety of questions including:
- What will happen to my body after death?
- What are my options for burial of my body?
- What is the difference between conventional cremation and flame-less or bio-cremation?
- How do I plan ahead and put my final wishes into writing?
- How will my plans fit in with what my loved ones need to create after I’ve died?
- How would I talk about this with my adult children, spouse, or siblings, especially if they are reluctant?
- What about a Living Memorial before the death of a dear one?
People are beginning to think differently about death. Not everyone, of course, and not quickly, but there are new ways to think about, talk about, and manage some of the elements of death. This consciousness shift that is going on tends toward a holistic approach that includes education, learning from the environment, and the inclusion of children at appropriate developmental levels. We are committed to being part of educational conversations on death. We would come to your faith community, book club or other small group for an evening. We could create with you a series to dig deeply into the topic.
Marilaurice and Anne would be honored to accompany and support individuals wanting to plan ahead as advocates, guides, attentive listeners, and resource people. We believe that you are the expert on your wishes and those of your loved ones. Please contact us for a short phone conversation to see if what you need and what we offer are a good match. Following that conversation, we could go on to schedule a time to begin our work together.