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Though it's not a pleasant topic, every person should talk to their family members about how they'd like their funeral to be handled. By having a conversation with your parents now, you will avoid hasty decisions during a time of crisis and sorrow. It's essential to open the dialogue and begin planning service arrangements, regardless of your parents’ current age or health status.

Breaking the Ice

FuneralYou want to respectfully encourage your parents to verbalize their desires, so you can help them plan a meaningful funeral that abides by their wishes. You can break the ice by bringing up another person's memorial or perhaps talking about family traditions. Another way to broach the subject is by telling them you’re pre-planning your own and inviting them to join the process or make a visit with you to the funeral home to discuss options. Only you know how to begin the conversation with your parents, but as you get into it, hopefully, things will become easier.

Asking the Right Questions

Talk to your parents about how they envision their service. Doing so will be an excellent opportunity to get to know them better. Ask questions such as:

  • Would you like to be buried or cremated?
  • If you want to be cremated, where do you want your ashes spread, placed, or buried?
  • What type of funeral would you prefer?
  • Would you want a private burial with just family?
  • Would you like a memorial service, a celebration of life, or another type of service?
  • Do you have a music or Scripture preference?
  • Do you want flowers at the service? If so, what type?
  • In lieu of flowers, would you want family and friends to donate to a particular organization or cause instead?
  • How should everything be paid for?

Talking About Money

Do your parents have a life insurance policy they intend to use to cover the expenses? Would they like to prepay the costs instead? Many people choose to arrange and pay for the fees, as well as burial or cremation, before their death to avoid burdening their loved ones. Paying such expenses in advance will also allow a person to spend down their assets to help qualify for Medicaid. The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association suggests prepaying for a memorial service before applying for Title 19 benefits as well. Doing so allows patients to set aside money for their funeral and burial plot, and it won’t count against them when they try to qualify for financial assistance through Title 19.

 

When you are ready to begin making arrangements, reach out to Porto Funeral Homes in New Haven County, CT. For more than 75 years, they’ve been assisting families with pre-funeral arrangements, funeral services, burial services, and cremation services. They will also help with burial trusts, urn selections, and other such needs. Visit their website to get more information. Contact this caring, family-owned funeral home's location in East Haven at (203) 467-3000, or call (203) 934-5000 for West Haven.

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