The importance of discussing your funeral wishes

A funeral is an occasion in which family members can celebrate your lifetime and pay their respects, however many people find this an uncomfortable topic to discuss.

Research conducted by Dying Matters (May 2014) has found that worryingly, just 29% of people have discussed their wishes regarding what they would like to happen once they pass away.

Dying Matters are an organisation who promotes open dialogue surrounding subjects that are often avoided but are very important.

Discussing your funeral preferences with your loved ones will not only make planning your funeral easier, but will give them the peace of mind that your service is carried out in a way that you would appreciate and that has your own personal touches.

Even if you have outlined your funeral preferences in your Will, discussing them with your family members can help make the whole experience feel more personal and fitting to your memory. It also gives them the opportunity to contribute their own ideas and helps them to pay their respects in a way that is both personal to them and yourself.

Taking the time to talk to family members about the financial aspects of planning your funeral can help a great deal. Regardless of whether you have taken out a life insurance policy, a Funeral Plan, or perhaps have savings put aside for the purpose of financing your funeral, making sure your loved ones are aware of these can help ensure that they are prepared when the time comes.

Talking openly about matters such as funerals and passing away can solve a great deal of problems and potentially avoid family arguments when people are feeling emotional. Although at first it seems difficult, comfort and support can be found from those who have gone through similar experiences.

Weird and Wonderful things that you can choose to do with ashes

While most people are either laid to rest in a coffin, buried in an urn, or scattered somewhere memorable, there are plenty of other options for your remains. People are increasingly deciding to have more unconventional funerals or wish to have their ashes used in a different way. Consumer Care can incorporate these wishes in your Will or funeral plan. Here we highlight some of the more unconventional methods people have requested for their ashes to be used after their death:

Use ashes to create a tattoo

These are called memorial tattoos, the method, widely used by many tattoo parlours, combines cremation ashes in the tattoo ink to have it permanently tattooed into the skin. This process works by removing larger pieces leaving you with a fine dust which can be incorporated within the ink and tattooed onto the skin with a normal, sterilised needle. As tattoos have become more popular over time, using ashes has also increased in popularity. If you’re looking for an unusual way to be remembered, this could be it.

Turn them into a Diamond

A diamond ring or pendant is an item of jewellery that people can wear every day, melting your ashes and using them to create a diamond is a great method to choose. This way your loved ones have a reminder of you close to them!

Send the ashes into space

This method has been chosen  by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. This is something that you can now do, by paying a company such as Elysium; your remains can orbit around Earth. This is a costly and very unconventional use for ashes , but if you're an avid Thunderbirds fan or have a great love for Elton John’s song ‘Rocket Man’ this could be the method for you.

Create art with them

Although it may be a self indulgent and a little creepy to have your ashes made into a portrait of yourself to be displayed in someone’s house, this can be a possibility for your ashes. Although a self portrait may be a bit much, you can choose to have your ashes used to create any image, something that incorporates a favourite holiday destination or perhaps a lovely beach.

Press ashes into your favourite record

If you live and breathe music, is there a better way  to be remembered than to actually become part of your favourite album? You are now able to be pressed into any record you want, including your own original album. Some companies will even write a song for you and incorporate your ashes into the design work on the front cover too.

Although, these are more unusual methods to use when considering what to do with your ashes, they are becoming ever more popular as people are looking for more unconventional ways to be remembered. If you want to ensure that your pre

cised wishes (no matter how out of the ordinary) are carried out after you pass away, ensure you purchase a Will or a pre-paid funeral plan.