3 Reasons to Preplan A Memorial for a Sick Loved One

Making final arrangements prior to one’s passing is hard to imagine. During an already emotional time, this stressful and sensitive topic can feel overwhelming for everyone involved.

While waiting to plan a memorial until after the passing of a loved one may seem logical, it can actually cause more stress. Here are three reasons why you should consider preplanning a memorial after you first learn of your loved one’s terminal diagnosis.

1. Ease the Emotional Burden

After the loss of a loved one, surviving family members are often consumed with grief and overwhelmed by final arrangement decisions. However, the choice to prearrange a memorial can actually provide peace of mind to you and your family.

Instead of having to make decisions about cemetery and cremation memorials immediately after losing your loved one, you’re able to celebrate his or her life and legacy because you’ve already made those decisions in advance. This helps in the healing process because it lets you focus on your grief as opposed to making memorial service plans.

2. Ensure Final Wishes Are Honored

When a sick loved one passes away, it can be difficult to understand exactly how they envisioned their final arrangements. However, preplanning allows you to document final wishes, involving all necessary family and loved ones in the decisions. It helps you prevent unanswered memorial questions like:

• Does my loved one want to have a traditional burial in a cemetery?
• Does he or she want to be cremated and memorialized in another location other than the cemetery?
• What type of headstone or memorial would he or she prefer to be remember by?
• What designs, epitaphs or lettering does he or she want on the memorial?

Not only does preplanning allow you to ensure your sick loved one’s final wishes are met, it also helps free you from the stress of having to make final arrangements alone. When you preplan, you can work with your loved one to create a meaningful memorial that reflects their wishes.

3. Alleviate Financial Responsibilities

Planning a funeral can be one of the most expensive purchases a family will have to make. From funeral plans to flower arrangements to cemetery fees to headstones, the costs can sometimes seem endless. 

While not required, it’s common for people who preplan to prefund their memorial. When you pay ahead of time, you lock in today’s cost. This helps you avoid potential rising cemetery fees and memorial costs.

Another financial benefit of preplanning is the flexible payment plans. Instead of paying for the entire cost of the memorial up front, preplanning allows you to space out the payments to fit your budget.

Preplan the Perfect Memorial with an Expert

 At Milano Monuments, we want to help you craft a memorial or monument to help your loved one’s legacy live on. Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can create a one-of-a-kind memorial or monument that will honor your loved one.