HOW TO NAVIGATE FAMILY ISSUES DURING FAMILY PLANNING
When making funeral preparations, family ties and concerns should be considered.
The loss of a family member usually brings together individuals linked by affection and cherished memories of the deceased, perhaps for the first time in many years.
Unfortunately, because of the heightened emotions, a funeral can also reveal longstanding differences and conflicts.
What are Common Issues Families Face Families When Planning a Funeral?
The process of planning a funeral can put to the test family relationships that are already under strain because of other issues like the following:
Jealousy
Competitiveness
Resentment
Stress
Incomplete or differing memories of the deceased
Anger
Fear
Financial insecurity
While the most important thing is to bury the deceased and send them off on their journey in the next life, the funeral process is a learning opportunity to help heal family rifts and help bring families closer together.
How to Manage Family Issues During a Funeral
A prepaid funeral plan has the advantage of allowing the individual who purchases the plan to make the selections.
Compromise is essential when preparing a funeral that honours the departed — and respects their desires. Here's how to deal with family disagreements when making funeral arrangements:
Disagree to Agree
Family members must accept that not everything will be agreed upon unanimously. If talks over service arrangements become heated, take a step back and look at the broader picture. Compromise should be prioritised, and families may need to "agree to disagree" to conclude funeral arrangements.
Listen Respectfully
When the discussion turns to funeral arrangements, it is essential to listen to those involved in the planning process, even if there are different ideas about what would be more suitable for the funeral as a whole.
With an open mind, try to meet the requests of the people involved. This can help to ease tension and respect the wishes of the deceased.
Offer to Help
It is essential to offer to help those organising the funeral — particularly if they are stressed.
Do not expect to be paid, as they are coming to you because they need your help. Keep any thoughts of asking for payment at bay and offer your help with planning the funeral without expecting anything in return.
Leave the Past Behind
Relatives can sometimes get caught up in the past. Do not make the mistake of dwelling on arguments that took place in the past.
Instead, be positive and think about moving forward and treat each other with respect. This will help to ease tensions and create a more respectful environment to conduct the funeral arrangements.
What are the Benefits of a Prepaid Funeral Plan?
Family members who do not get along can put pressure on those who are organising the funeral arrangements. As the funeral is a moment of reflection for those who have lost a loved one, it is crucial for the funeral to go ahead without delay.
An individual who wants to ensure that the funeral goes ahead can prepay for the funeral, removing the need for others to contribute to the costs.
Those who want to ensure that their funeral request is honoured and that they can pay for the funeral can buy a cash funeral plan to ensure that the funeral is exactly how they would have wanted it.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when planning the funeral of a loved one is that each family member has a valuable perspective to offer and should be considered when deciding how to plan the funeral.
Being considerate and offering to help those organising the funeral can make all the difference.
Holmes Funerals is a funeral service and cemetery, offering funeral-related services to help families enjoy meaningful services that help heal the heart. If you are looking for direct funeral services in the UK, contact us today!
