In life, there are certain topics that are somewhat taboo. You can bet that issues involving death are among them. But that doesn’t mean that uncomfortable topics should be swept under the rug or ignored outright. After all, ignoring the elephant in the room doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. So it’s always best to tackle matters of importance head-on. This is definitely that case as it relates to ensuring that your elderly parents preplan their funeral services or cremation services in Old Hickory, TN. While you should not pressure them into doing so, a discussion about final services is a discussion worth having. You’ll find that it’s easier if you have also preplanned your own body disposition. It’ll make it easier to talk to your parents about it.
Here are some steps to take if you want to discuss final services planning with your elderly parents.
Broach the Topic…Tactfully
Before you have the all-important discussion on end-of-life planning, you need to actually broach the topic. Don’t wait for your elderly parents to initiate a discussion on the matter. How have you and your folks, in the past, initiated discussions about uncomfortable topics? You can use this information to figure out the best way to do so. Does your family have past experience with having to plan a cremation or funeral for a deceased loved one who hadn’t pre-planned? You can kick off the discussion by reminding your elderly parents how difficult it was to do the planning in that particular instance. It can serve as a springboard to the discussion.
Again, a great way to get the conversation started is if you have preplanned. You can then relate the importance of doing it and tell your parents how it has made you feel. Invite your elderly parents to your home for dinner or go to their home for a visit. Maybe you have a family cottage where everyone will be at ease. Think about the best place to have the conversation and then get to the point as tactfully and respectfully as possible.
Issues to Cover
When the conversation does get underway, you’ll need to ask some important questions in order to cover all or any of the bases. Consider the following questions:
- Do you have insurance to cover your final services or do you have enough financial resources to allocate for this purpose?
- Do you have a will, and have you designated a power of attorney to handle your affairs in the event that this becomes necessary?
- What body disposition option do you prefer — a cremation or a funeral — and do you have a preference for where it is held?
- Where do you keep important documents like your medical records, financial records, birth certificates, and other important things that will be needed after you pass away?
You can be sure that it might be uncomfortable for you to ask these sorts of questions, but the answers are critical. It might be easier to save some of these questions for later when your parents choose to book an appointment to meet with a funeral home to preplan final services.
You can rely on Ellis Funeral Home & Cremation Service to help your elderly parents to preplan their funeral service or cremation service in Old Hickory, TN. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and compassionate staff will put your parents at ease and help them through the process.
You can reach us by phone at (615) 255-5412 or visit in person at 2627 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211 for the help you need. When the time comes to contact a funeral home, we’re here to assist, so don’t hesitate to get in touch either by phone or in person.
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