Video: Tackling the Last Taboo

HOUSTON, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinking and talking about death is difficult. Even though we understand it's a normal part of life, it's an emotional subject and not one usually discussed openly. Ensuring your final wishes are clearly outlined can help ease the experience for family and friends.

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In a recent survey conducted by ShareYourWishes.org, nearly 90 percent of adults 45 and older feel it is important for their final arrangements to be consistent with their wishes. Yet, only 24 percent of respondents have actually taken steps to preplan their funeral.

According to Robbie Pape, funeral planning expert for Dignity Memorial ShareYourWishes.org, preplanning your final arrangements is one of the most treasured inheritances you can leave your family.

"Planning a funeral can be a tremendous undertaking at an emotionally difficult time-a situation people often underestimate," says Pape. "Nearly everyone in our survey who has carried out a funeral that was not planned in advance said preplanning would have been beneficial."

To help ease the process, follow four steps when preplanning your arrangements: Reflect, Record, Share and Support.

  1. Reflect. Spend time thinking about what you want your final
     arrangements to be. Consult family members and include them in the
     process, if you wish. Use preplanning resources, such as
     ShareYourWishes.org, or a reputable funeral provider.

  2. Record. Create a formal document detailing your final wishes. Clearly
     communicate everything from traditional items such as indicating
     whether to be buried or cremated-to things you might not think of, such
     as the type of music you want at your service or whether your loved
     ones should celebrate your life with a party.

  3. Share. Discuss your final wishes with loved ones. Don't assume family
     members will know what you want. Keep copies of your funeral-planning
     document in a filing cabinet or in-home safe. Make sure others know
     where your document exists.

  4. Support. Realize your final wishes with the financial means necessary
     to carry them out. By preplanning your arrangements, you give your
     family the freedom to celebrate your life, instead of leaving them the
     burden to plan your funeral. However, without financial support for
     your arrangements, your family may end up scrambling to cover the
     costs. There are many options available to fund arrangements, including
     personal savings accounts or investments, insurance policies or
     prepaying with a reliable funeral provider.

  Obtain more information about preplanning at ShareYourWishes.org.

   Contact Info
   Media Relations Team
   713-899-9727
   press.room@shareyourwishes.org