When a parent passes away, having siblings can provide a source of comfort, but working together to make final arrangements may be challenging. It’s often stressful figuring out how to share the responsibilities and decide all the details of a ceremony, burial, and grave marker within a short timeframe, which can cause disagreements to arise. Here are a few tips for alleviating tension and ensuring your parent’s wishes are honored.

How to Avoid Family Conflict When Funeral Planning

1. Practice Effective Communication

As you begin talking about funeral arrangements, make sure all your siblings are included in the conversation. Everyone should be able to voice their opinions and ideas and be open to receiving feedback.

Be mindful of your facial expressions, avoid speaking in an accusatory manner, and don’t interrupt your siblings. If the dialogue turns heated, take a break and revisit the conversation later.

2. Know When to Compromise

Sometimes, not every sibling will agree on a decision. To prevent conflict and keep moving forward with the planning process, it may be necessary to compromise on certain issues, such as budget, method of disposition, location of service, type of grave marker, and eulogy speakers. Try to be as cooperative as possible while ultimately considering what your parent would want.

3. Remain Respectful

Remember that people can have vastly different reactions to the passing of a loved one. Some may naturally act out while navigating the mourning process, making it complicated to collaborate on funeral arrangements. Though you may not agree with how a sibling is expressing their grief, do your best to understand their perspective and show them empathy and support.

If you’re looking for a special way to memorialize a loved one, the caring staff at Hawaii Art Stone is here to help. Based in Honolulu, HI, this company provides high-quality, locally made products that will last for generations. Their beautiful grave markers are available in a variety of styles, and they’ll work with your family to customize a design that reflects the decedent’s life. Call (808) 744-3162 to discuss your options, or visit them online to learn more about their grave marker offerings.