Why planning your life celebration is so important

Let’s face it, your funeral will be last big event you attend. So, it makes sense that you want it to be a celebration, not a commiseration. Of course, your loved ones will be grieving which means that planning a funeral can be an incredibly emotional and stressful experience. This is the last thing you want, so why not spend a little time discussing how you’d like your funeral to unfold? It sounds a little sombre, but with the right approach the conversation can be fun, imaginative, and even exciting.

If you or your loved ones don’t feel comfortable having the conversation, you can still leave a legacy. Use a notebook to jot down ideas and preferences, and let your next-of-kin know where to find it.

So, what sorts of things should you cover?

Religious, secular or something a little different?

One of the biggest issues loved ones face is whether to hold a religious funeral, a secular funeral, or something in-between. Make things easy on your family by clarifying what you want in advance, and helping them plan a funeral that you’ll love.

Ashes to ashes  

Following on from your funeral style is the question of whether you’d like to be buried or cremated. Over the past few years there’s also been a rise in alternative funeral styles, like eco-friendly burials. So many people haven’t expressed a particular desire or sidestep the conversation, which leaves loved ones wondering if they made the right decision.

Hitting play

Now comes the fun part… Everyone loves a good tune, and there’s no reason why your funeral shouldn’t reflect the music you love. Religious, classical, vintage or modern? It’s entirely up to you. There’s a fabulous scene in Love Actually when Daniel blasts the Bay City Rollers as he farewells his beloved wife. Accompanied by a slideshow, it’s a perfect example of how funerals can be touching and upbeat at the same time.

Location, location, location

Have you always wanted to be buried in your hometown? Maybe you’ve imagined your service by the waterfront, or want to have your ashes scattered at your favourite beach. Location plays an all-important role in funerals, and you can help your loved ones plan the perfect send-off by mentioning your preferred locations in advance.

The after party

For some people, funerals are all about tradition. But there’s no reason you have to conform. Maybe you’d like to be sent off with cocktails and canapes, or perhaps you’re more of an ‘open bar’ party person?

Support your loved ones with funeral insurance

On average, funerals are held just a week or so after a person’s death. This means that as well as dealing with grief, loved ones are forced to make big decisions regarding your life celebration. Cost can also be an issue, with some families stressing over how they’re going to pay for expenses like coffins, flowers, food and so on.

This is where funeral insurance comes in. Like a wedding planner, Cigna policies give you the freedom and financial security to focus on making your grand entrance (or in this case departure) in style. You can take out a funeral cover policy for amounts ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, which will give you total peace of mind. It’s simple to apply for and easy to claim, with funds paid out within 48 hours of submitting claim forms.