PRE NEED
Birth, life, and death are inseparable. To some people, the subject of death is unpleasant, yet unavoidable. Although people tend to shy away from discussing or planning for death, it is a reality for which we must prepare. Careful preparation can ease the worry and concern of survivors when the family circle has been broken.
Every adult should have an attorney draw up a last will and testament, and keep it current, regardless of its simplicity. Your attorney will be familiar with the laws of your state, matters of taxation, long-range planning for minor children, bequests, etc.
In recent years there has been a sharp increase in prearranged funeral services. You will find your funeral director most willing to consult with you on prearranging and/or prefinancing funeral arrangements to suit your particular desires and financial needs, according to the laws of your state.
AT NEED
As you reflect on the life that was lived, you will be participating in a ceremony as old as recorded time. The funeral provides an opportunity for the survivors and friends who share in the loss to express their love, respect and grief. It is a memorial tribute to the deceased. It is a means of the disposition of the dead human body and a protection of the public health.
It gives people a chance to face openly and realistically the crisis that death presents. Through the funeral ceremony, the bereaved take the first firm steps toward adjustment to their loss.
There is no single proper funeral service; it is a time for human sharing in its deepest sense. You and the ones you love are at the very center of the funeral process; the choices you make regarding the funeral service will determine the significance for you. For most, it takes time to face up to the finality of death, the acceptance of the fact that the loved one will no longer be a part of our familiar environment. Most funeral decisions are deeply rooted in religious, ethnic, and community customs, combined with consideration for family traditions and preferences. To the extent that one is able to accept death is a natural part of life, the greater will be one's ability to make the kind of choices that fill a life with meaning.
