How to Approach Talking to Your Loved Ones About Final Wishes

DeBordSnyder.com Blog

November 2016

How to Approach Talking to Your Loved Ones About Final Wishes

The idea of discussing your final wishes with your loved ones can be very challenging. Discussing when and how to discuss it with them can be equally, if not even more, difficult.

The fact is, while most people might prefer to avoid conversations about their own funeral arrangements, most will find relief and comfort knowing their family members understand their wishes and that they will be honored after their passing.

You can reveal your final wishes to your family whenever you feel ready to do so. Involving your loved ones in the planning process can be a very meaningful experience.  Others may prefer to do all of the planning themselves, and then later disclose those plans to their loved ones.  

Whichever route appeals to you more, just remember – it is entirely your choice.

How you tell your family about your final wishes and the setting you choose to do so is very important.  Perhaps you schedule a quiet meeting, at a private place, with those who are closest to you.

Feel free to share what you want to discuss so that your loved ones aren’t caught off guard.  Even if they’re uncomfortable with the idea, you telling them how important it is to you will make them more likely to participate.

The topic is very sensitive, and your loved ones may have good insight that hadn’t occurred to you yet, so try to keep an open mind.  

Be sure to write down all of your wishes as clearly as possible, and give copies of your written wishes to your family if your plans are already documented.

The more detailed your pre-plans the better, as it often prevents disagreements within the family at a time that is already tense with emotion.

Making plans for your final wishes can be a loving gift that you can leave behind for your family at an extremely difficult moment.

Dealing with death is never easy and pre planning funeral arrangements isn’t on top of most people’s “things to do” list.

If you’re making plans or assisting someone in your family make their final plans, remember that knowing your loved one receives a memorable service and is taken care of with dignity and respect will bring you comfort. 

We can honor our loved ones once they have passed away by making pre-plans to give them the farewell they deserve.

At DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, we have a deep understanding and compassion for the complexity of loss and grief, and are here to guide you through the creation of a traditional or personalized funeral or memorial service. 

Our mission is to alleviate any unnecessary hardship, as we provide the highest quality of personal and compassionate service for celebrating, respecting, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died.

By pre-planning your funeral arrangements with DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, one of the most trusted Lancaster PA funeral homes, you can ensure peace of mind for yourself and your family in challenging times.

Your caring and experienced funeral director will be there for you every step of the way to ensure that your personal preferences are fulfilled to the smallest detail. 

When searching for funeral homes in Lancaster PA, place your trust in DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, a community-based, family-owned funeral home.

We are proud and grateful that four generations of families have already entrusted us with their final arrangements, and would be honored to be of service to you and your loved ones:  https://www.debordsnyder.com/contact-us/.