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Preplanning/Planning and keeps the focus on the celebration
of life rather than an impending loss.
Ahead
Preplanning your funeral will make Here are some tips that may help you
certain that your choices are respected start the advance planning conversation
and carried out, without leaving your with your loved ones:
family to wonder what your wishes might
have been. • Set a time to have the conversation.
Schedule it as an appointment with
When you’re ready to make a real plan, your loved ones, whether you want
send us an email and we will have one of to share your plans with them or ask
our preplanning counsellors call you to them to make their plans to share
set up an appointment. with you.
• Tell your parent or loved one that
There are many different ways to begin you want to ensure their final
the planning ahead conversation. You arrangements are done according to
know your family and how your loved their wishes, and you need their help
ones might best respond to the topic. to make that happen.
For some families, it might be a casual • Ease into the conversation.
conversation over dinner or another Questions such as “Have you ever
family gathering. For other families, a thought about where you would like
formal meeting might be better suited. to be buried?” or “What type of
funeral would you like to have?” may
Regardless of your approach, the open the discussion to more details
conversation is much easier to have about your loved one’s wishes.
when death is not imminent. Bringing up • Take advantage of funeral-related
the subject with loved ones earlier in life opportunities. Attending the funeral
when they are younger, and most likely of a friend, family member or
healthier, makes the topic easier to discuss colleague or watching a movie or
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