Did you read that right? Yes, you did. We want you to really think about why you shouldn’t plan your funeral in advance. Chances are, you will change your mind.
10 Reasons NOT to Preplan your Funeral
Funeral preplanning is all the rage these days. You're a trailblazer, though. You actually prefer to spend too much, have a funeral that doesn't say anything about you, and place a big burden on your loved ones. So check out our top 10 reasons for not pre-planning your funeral—and see if any of OUR reasons match up with yours.
1. You don’t plan to die.
Good luck with that one. Funeral planning is easiest when the end isn’t near. It’s less emotional and easier to think of it as a celebration of your life. So live long and prosper… and plan ahead.
2. You like to keep ‘em guessing.
So you like to make people work for it, do you? This time, they may actually get the last laugh by throwing the perfect send-off. Perfect for someone else, that is. Take the guess work out of your own arrangements by pre-planning.
3. Your family agrees on everything.
If your family members agree on everything with you and all think alike, then you can safely leave your funeral arrangements to them. Wait—you don’t know any families like that?
4. You don’t mind being buried in that leisure suit.
Yep, those old clothes you’ve been saving for the next costume party could be your final outfit. Maybe you’d rather decide for yourself what their last image of you will be. Do you prefer a tux or your favorite t-shirt and flip-flops? Open casket or closed? Are you okay with the jokester in the family deciding for you?
5. It’s not your problem.
You’re right about that unless, of course, you don’t plan to die (see number 1), your funeral won’t be your problem. If you’re not concerned that your loved ones will have to make a lot of very hard decisions under the worst possible circumstances, then by all means fuhgeddaboudit.
6. You can’t take it with you.
So you’re rolling in dough? Great—it doesn’t matter what your final celebration costs. But if you aren’t wealthy (like most of us) and you don’t pre-plan, your family will spend more than they need to. Planning ahead usually saves money and gives you (and your family) much better options.
7. It’s not all about you.
Really? Bravo if you’re always putting others first, but this is one time it’s okay to be a little selfish. It’s your party and the spotlight will be on you. A little planning on your part is appropriate, even helpful. After all, nobody knows you better than you.
8. You don’t care who shows up at your funeral.
You might want to think twice about that one since we think funerals are really for the living. The people who care about you will want to say goodbye and celebrate your life. Planning in advance can help your family know how to get the word out to the right people: your friends, colleagues, and others who love you.
9. Peace of mind is overrated.
Are you sure about that? Once your plan is recorded, you’ll know that your loved ones won’t be burdened by having to guess at what you want. You’ll be leaving your family one last gift—the ability to start the grieving process without the added stress of having to plan your funeral. What a cool way to go out!
10. You don’t want no stinkin’ funeral.
Fair enough. But even not having a funeral requires some planning to make sure the people you leave behind know that’s what you want. We think you really do care what happens after you leave this earth, so let us help you set it up—now!
Don’t like slide shows? Here’s the full “10 Reasons NOT to Plan Your Funeral” list.
1. You don’t plan to die.
Good luck with that one. Funeral planning is easiest when the end isn’t near. It’s less emotional and easier to think of it as a celebration of your life. So live long and prosper… and plan ahead.
2. You like to keep ‘em guessing.
So you like to make people work for it, do you? This time, they may actually get the last laugh by throwing the perfect send-off. Perfect for someone else, that is. Take the guess work out of your own arrangements by pre-planning.
3. Your family agrees on everything.
If your family members agree on everything with you and all think alike, then you can safely leave your funeral arrangements to them. Wait—you don’t know any families like that?
4. You don’t mind being buried in that leisure suit.
Yep, those old clothes you’ve been saving for the next costume party could be your final outfit. Maybe you’d rather decide for yourself what their last image of you will be. Do you prefer a tux or your favorite t-shirt and flip-flops? Open casket or closed? Are you okay with the jokester in the family deciding for you?
5. It’s not your problem.
You’re right about that unless, of course, you don’t plan to die (see number 1), your funeral won’t be your problem. If you’re not concerned that your loved ones will have to make a lot of very hard decisions under the worst possible circumstances, then by all means fuhgeddaboudit.
6. You can’t take it with you.
So you’re rolling in dough? Great—it doesn’t matter what your final celebration costs. But if you aren’t wealthy (like most of us) and you don’t pre-plan, your family will spend more than they need to. Planning ahead usually saves money and gives you (and your family) much better options.
7. It’s not all about you.
Really? Bravo if you’re always putting others first, but this is one time it’s okay to be a little selfish. It’s your party and the spotlight will be on you. A little planning on your part is appropriate, even helpful. After all, nobody knows you better than you.
8. You don’t care who shows up at your funeral.
You might want to think twice about that one since we think funerals are really for the living. The people who care about you will want to say goodbye and celebrate your life. Planning in advance can help your family know how to get the word out to the right people: your friends, colleagues, and others who love you.
9. Peace of mind is overrated.
Are you sure about that? Once your plan is recorded, you’ll know that your loved ones won’t be burdened by having to guess at what you want. You’ll be leaving your family one last gift—the ability to start the grieving process without the added stress of having to plan your funeral. What a cool way to go out!
10. You don’t want no stinkin’ funeral.
Fair enough. But even not having a funeral requires some planning to make sure the people you leave behind know that’s what you want. We think you really do care what happens after you leave this earth, so let us help you set it up—now!
