What to Do With Family Plots When Families Change

Article Planning Ahead with Peace of Mind When it comes to planning for lifes inevitable moments, many of us put it off. But the team at WashburnMcReavy Funeral Chapels offers a compassionate and practical approach that makes the process less daunting and more empoweringthrough their Plan Ahead program.The Purpose & PromiseOn their Plan Ahead page, Washburn-McReavy invites individuals to plan for peace of mind by making your funeral or cemetery service decisions now, rather than leaving them to your loved ones later. The premise is simple but profound: by pre-planning, you free your family from guesswork during an emotional time, and you specify how you wish to be honored. Why Pre-Planning Makes SenseThe Why Pre-Plan section spells out the benefits very clearly: It helps your family during a difficult time by reducing confusion and burden.  It gives you control over how your service and memorial are designedmusic, readings, memorialsso they truly reflect you.  It offers potential financial advantages: locking in costs, relieving your family of sudden expenses.  In short, it transforms what might be a crisis moment into a more intentional, dignified occasion. How to Start the ConversationRecognizing that planning your own funeral or memorial is a heavy topic, Washburn-McReavy provides thoughtful tools and guidance to help begin the discussion with family or plan on your own.  They offer: Online planning options (Plan Online Today) for convenience and flexibility.  One-onone consultations with advisors if youd prefer personal guidance.  Seminars covering topics such as burial vs. cremation, veteran benefits, asset protection, and more.  Frequently Asked Questions & SupportThe page also links to FAQshelping demystify the process (What does pre-arrangement mean? Will my choices change later?) and supporting families and individuals through grief and healing.  Their overall message: you dont have to face this alone, and taking action now is an act of care for yourself and those you love.Why It Matters for A Senior AudienceFor readers of the Seniors Blue Book, the relevance is unmistakable. Seniorsand their adult childrenface decisions about legacy, memorials, and final arrangements. Engaging in pre-planning: Ensures that your wishes are clearly communicated and honored. Gives peace of mind to both you and your family. Proactively addresses what might otherwise be a stressful, last-minute decision. Potentially reduces the financial burden for your loved ones. Final Thoughts Planning ahead with a trusted provider like Washburn-McReavy isnt about being morbidits about taking care of the ones you love by making thoughtful choices today. Its about living fully, knowing youve taken steps to ease what will come later. As the page succinctly puts it: With a plan the day will be exactly as you imagine it. All your wishes. All with ease.

A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honors and informs.When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honors their life can seem overwhelming. Dont worry - your obituary will honor their life simply by the act of you writing it. You want to celebrate your loved ones life and offer happy and enjoyable memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.We hope that this checklist will take the stress and pressure off of you and allow you to honor your loved one. Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional and is a valuable resource for writing the obituary.Include basic details about the persons lifeYou dont have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one: Age Any familial survivors Education Vocation When the person retired, if relevant Any military affiliations Any volunteer affiliations Include funeral informationFamily and friends often rely on an obituary for information on when and where a persons life will be celebrated, so your obituary will make it very simple for them to get that information (and will save you the hassle of having to answer lots of questions at a time when you would prefer not to be bothered with small details). You can include: Date and time of the funeral Place the funeral is being held Any viewing details Request for donations in lieu of flowers

The thought of public speaking throws many people into a panic. Add to that fear the common discomfort of discussing death, and it's easy to understand why the idea of delivering a eulogy can be disconcerting. If you've been asked to write a eulogy, take heart. This article will help you put your fears in perspective so you can deliver a loving eulogy."Why me?"You were probably asked to deliver a eulogy because of your close relationship to the deceased, and because the family trusts you to honor his or her memory on behalf of family and friends. The family doesn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, foolish or as though your grief is on display. It's an honor they've bestowed upon you. Helping others say goodbye may turn out to be a rewarding experience. Don't worry about making mistakes. A eulogy comes from the heart of the deliverer. I can't see how a mistake could be made as long as it is honest and true."I can't write."Don't let the thought of writing intimidate you. You don't have to be a novelist to move people. Everyone has a story to tell and that's your job as a eulogist. Tell people your story.In the book "A Labor of Love: How to Write a Eulogy," author Garry Schaeffer says a eulogy should convey the feelings and experiences of the person giving the eulogy, and should be written in an informal, conversational tone. Schaeffer dispels the misconceptions that a eulogy should objectively summarize the person's life or speak for all present. Sit down and write from the heart.Eulogists often write about the person's attributes, memories and common times that were shared together. Sometimes they include the deceased's favorite poems, book passages, scripture verses, quotes, expressions, lines from songs or items that were written by the deceased. Whatever is selected, it generally reflects the loved one's lifestyle.These questions should get you thinking: How did you and the deceased become close? Is there a humorous or touching event that represents the essence of your passed loved one? What did you and others love and admire about the deceased? What will you miss most about him or her? Some of the simplest thoughts are deeply touching and easy for those congregated to identify with. For example, "I'll miss her smile," or "I'll never forget the way he crinkled his nose when he laughed," are just as good as "I admired her selflessness.""I can't speak in front of people."It may not be easy, but you can do it. A funeral is one time you'll surely have a kind and empathetic audience. They feel for you and are on your side. You'll only have to speak for five to ten minutes, but your gift will live in the hearts of the deceased's family and friends.If you're worried about choking up or breaking down in the middle of your eulogy, you can take a moment to compose yourself, then carry on, as Schaeffer recommends, or you can have a back up person ready to step in. Give a copy of your eulogy to the minister or funeral director so that person can finish the eulogy if you're unable to continue.Tips Be honest and focus on the person's positive qualities Humor is acceptable if it fits the personality of the deceased. "If you are inclined to be a perfectionist, lower your expectations and just do what you can given the short time-frame and your emotional state," writes Schaeffer in "Labor of Love." Keep it brief. Five to ten minutes is the norm, but it's a good idea to verify that with the minister or funeral director. Leo Saguin recommends interviewing family and friends in his book "How to Write and Deliver a Loving Eulogy." Put the eulogy on paper - at least in outline form. Eulogy or Sharing Time?If you're planning the funeral, you might want to consider "sharing time" as an alternative to a eulogy. In sharing time, the people congregated pass a microphone or take turns standing up to share their thoughts. It's like a lot of mini eulogies and is more spontaneous.Links Offering Examples Mona Simpson, sister to Steve Jobs, delivered a heart wrenching eulogy that was posted in The New York Times on October 30, 2011 - Click here to read it in its entirety. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's eulogy for President Ronald Reagan was telecast at his services in 2005 as she remembered her friend. Click here to read it in its entirety. Books Offering Help, Examples and Inspiration Books Offering Help, Examples and Inspiration "The Book of Eulogies: A Collection of Memorial Tributes, Poetry, Essays, and Letters of Condolence" by Phyllis Theroux (editor) "How to Write and Deliver a Loving Eulogy" by Leo Seguin "Final Celebrations: A Guide for Personal and Family Funeral Planning" by Kathleen Sublette and Martin Flagg "In Memoriam: A Practical Guide to Planning a Memorial Service" by Amanda Bennett and Terence B. Foley "My Deepest Sympathies: Meaningful Sentiments for Condolence Notes and Conversations, Plus a Guide to Eulogies" by Florence Isaacs "Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life and Mourning Death" by Sarah York "Readings for Remembrance: A Collection for Funerals and Memorial Services" by Eleanor C. Munro (introduction) "Remembrances and Celebrations: A Book of Eulogies, Elegies, Letters, and Epitaphs" by Jill Werman Harris (editor)