The Importance of Honouring Your Loved Ones Funeral Wishes

When you outline your funeral wishes, you expect them to be fulfilled. Whether it’s something as small as a specific song you want played, or the option to be buried or cremated, honouring these details are of the utmost importance when paying last respects to someone.

Keeping Dignity Intact

Our dignity is one of the most important things we have during our time on Earth. When a person outlines specific details for their funeral, it’s an attempt to have control over something often viewed as being uncontrollable: death.

When a loved one has specific funeral wishes, you can think of it as a person wanting to pass away on their own terms. Even if they could not control the circumstances under which they died, they can control how they are remembered.

Religious Reasons

Many funeral traditions have roots in religious ceremonies. These traditions need to be respected even if you do not agree with your loved one’s beliefs. One of the best examples of this is a husband and wife who disagree about cremation versus burial. In a case like this, the deceased wishes should be respected if it has roots in their religious beliefs.

No Funeral, No Problem

In some cases, a loved one can request that no funeral happen for them. When this happens, living relatives can feel put off or upset, as a funeral is also a time to offer comfort to loved ones in mourning.

If a loved one requests no funeral, you can still respect their wishes and do something for your own comfort. You can plant a tree or make a donation in their name, visit a favourite place or hold a private graveside memorial. All of these options will allow friends and family to process their grief while also respecting the wishes of the deceased.

How to Ensure Your Last Wishes are Met

When planning your funeral, it’s best to put someone in charge that you think will respect your wishes. Making this person the executor of your will gives them power to make decisions. If the person you choose is on board with your planning you can be assured that all your wishes are met.

Another way to ensure your final funeral requests are approved would be to call funeral homes and pre-arrange as much of it as possible beforehand. By pre-paying for most or all of the service, you are guaranteeing that things go exactly how you want.

Most funeral homes will provide contracts for people who wish to do this.

In the End It’s About Honouring the Dead

At the end of the day, a funeral is giving a beautiful send-off to a loved one. If they have specific requests such an outfit they want to be buried in or a specific song to play, making sure those wishes are met is your final chance to respect and do right by the deceased.