Last year was an especially difficult one for me. I lost a number of dear loved ones: a very close friend in March and my dear father-in-law, aunt and uncle in September. I received a call at 7:30 a.m. on New Year's Day, that another special person in my life died unexpectedly. I have often said that death is a part of life, but enough already. Death is the hard side of life. It is such because it is accompanied by pain, sadness, unwanted change, forced adjustments and more pain. In her book, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings", Maya Angelou encourages all to "Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst." Are you prepared?
Being raised in the mortuary business and working in the field for more than twenty years, I have seen many bereaved families. I don't know if anyone is ever really emotionally prepared to say goodbye. No matter how old or how sick our loved one is, no matter what they've endured, we are never really ready to let them go. We pray and plead for one more recovery. We hold on to hope because we love them so. No one knows the day or the hour, but death is certain. We all want it to be far down the road, but only God knows.
Maya's words are wise, as occasionally the worst does happen. And death is certainly in the "worst" category. So again, are you prepared? Have you made decisions regarding your services and interment? Do you have enough insurance to pay for your funeral services today or twenty years from now, as you plan to live? Have you purchased a plot, or put in writing that you would like to be cremated? Have you shared your wishes with your family? Does your closest family know where your important papers are? Do they have access to at least enough money to bury you if you don't have insurance? Hoping for the best is wonderful because we must keep hope alive. But we also need to dig our heads out of the sand and get prepared. The time is now. You have an opportunity now.
Preneed planning consultation is free. Call upon and sit down with a funeral professional who will assist you in getting prepared. The end result of taking the time to do so, will be peace of mind and relief for your loved ones. They will be relieved of an emotional and financial burden. Think of those closest to you. Are they prepared? In the event they stepped out of the picture, would you be called on to help? Would you be considered the "responsible party"? Have the conversation with your family and invite them to join you in getting prepared, if they have not already done so.
Affordable plans are available that you can pay for on a monthly basis. Some of you right now are thinking, "I can't afford another bill." Consider this. If you would be leaving your family unprepared, you can't afford not to do it. Don't just hope, be prepared.
[Gail Valentine Taylor, M.S.W. Funeral Director Woods-Valentine Mortuary, Pasadena This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.woodsvalentinemortuary.com (626) 798-8941]
