The recent media buzz is that President Biden has been asked to deliver former President Jimmy Carter’s eulogy when his time comes. Former President Carter is currently being served by hospice. Following several health issues over the years, Carter, age 98, reportedly opted to utilize hospice for added comfort.
The idea of a eulogy or the thought of hospice is tough for many to consider. These ideas signify the end. The end is scary. Most chapters are when you think about it. Who’s going to deliver your eulogy? What do you want your funeral to look like? These are very challenging concepts to grasp, but they lead to an important idea: being prepared. Have you created a burial trust or expressed your wishes to your family?
Questions about senior living? We’re here to help.
Proper Planning
None of us knows when the end might be. We don’t know when we’ll say the last “I love you” or give our last hugs, but we know we’ll all be there someday, so let’s talk about planning.
Funerals go far beyond choosing a ham bun and macaroni salad for the menu, although being on the receiving end of that meal can be quite comforting in one’s time of grief. Did you know the average funeral costs $7,848? This figure is based on data from the National Funeral Directors Association. They’ve also provided a figure stating that the average number of Americans who have planned their funerals is around 21%.
A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted, mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more.
― Morgan Matson
By planning for our funerals, we could save families the difficult and often expensive decision-making that can come from being in a state of grief. It may allow them to use the time to grieve rather than feeling obligated to choose high-dollar items for a sending-off.
Spending money can sometimes make us feel better— who hasn’t purchased a silly souvenir on a trip because we felt a certain way at the time? Now, imagine the worst and being presented with modestly priced memorial options versus extravagant items. When you sprinkle grief and the need to honor your loved one all over the situation, what’s likely to happen? Each family’s budget is what it is, but for some, that could mean unplanned and unnecessary debt. Being proactive could give some comfort to your family when the time comes.
Preparing the Following Can Help:
- Donation (Donate your organs or donate your body to a medical school.)
- Cremation (Who should receive your ashes/Do you want a scattering ceremony?)
- Open or closed casket
- Traditional burial/location
- Green burial
- Location of service/celebration of life
- Public or family-only event
- Music
- Photo presentation/video
- Scriptures
- Clergy
- Speakers
- Eulogy
- Obituary
- Funeral bulletin
- Menu/catering
End-of-Life Celebration Ideas to Consider:
Discuss your wishes with your family or write a list and keep it in a safe place. There’s never a convenient time to pencil in a loved one’s death, so planning for your arrangements could be your opportunity to help your loved ones for the last time.
If you’re looking for additional resources to plan for your later years, please check out Edgewood Healthcare’s blog page by clicking here. We’ve got information for those who need advice from the folks who have been through a tough time or two. If you’re interested in senior living, please get in touch with us at info@edgewoodhealthcare.com.
