Discussing Your Funeral Wishes

When a loved one dies is difficult enough dealing with your own grief, but if you are also left to second guess the wishes of the person who has died the experience can be more stressful and traumatic.

If you're dealing with the death of a beloved family member or friend then get everyone together and discuss how to give your loved one a unique tribute to their life. If you are pre-planning your own funeral service you should discuss your wishes with your friends and family, just as you would discuss your wishes for other important life events.

Talk about:

• Cremation or Burial? How do you want your remains stored or distributed? Is there a particular cemetery you want to be buried in?
• Specific wishes relating to the funeral - songs, flowers, funeral director, poems, casket?
• Organ and tissue donation. Is it something you want or the deceased wanted? Have you/they registered with the Australian Organ Donation Register or indicated your/their intension's on a Driver's License?
• How is the funeral to be paid for? From the estate, family member or a pre-paid fund? What is the budget?
• Will and matters of the estate - location and specifics.