Talking To Your Family About Your Funeral

There are many topics that are important to speak to your family with over your lifetime. Since death is a part of life that has an impact on everyone at some point, it’s an important topic to bring up with your family. While it might feel awkward, or even downright hard, it’s one of those topics that you really should cover. Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, your Jewish funeral home in East Brunswick, NJ can help you start and get through the process with tips to make it as easy as possible.

Tip 1: Decide What You Want

Some people find it easiest to talk about their own funeral with their family members if they already know what they want done. This way they can have a matter-of-fact meeting with their family and tell them what they would like to have done once they pass on. They can plan things out in advance with a funeral home, or just put things in writing for their family members. Thinking things out in advance can help prevent the discussion from being too confusing and overwhelming.

Tip 2: Decide On A Good Time

You probably don’t want to bring up your own eventual death at your birthday party, a wedding reception, or a graduation brunch! There has to be a good time for the discussion and other celebrations aren’t such a time. Gather your family on another occasion for dinner or something else with the explicit purpose of talking about your final wishes. You don’t want to mix those wishes with anything else that might spoil the moment.

Tip 3: Ask For Input, If Needed

When you have the discussion, you may have some things decided already. You may know you want a traditional Jewish burial, but you might want your family to help you decide things like who should preside over your funeral or which Jewish funeral home you should use. If you want your family to give ideas and input, this is a good time to get that. While the funeral is for you, of course, it’s as much for the living to commemorate and honor your life, and begin the grieving process.

Tip 4: Make Your Wishes Clear

While it can be hard to bring the topic up, once you are on the subject, make any wishes you have as clear as possible. The last thing you want is to go through the awkward discussion only to have your family confused as to what you actually want for your final services.

Tip 5: Take The Next Step and Make Your Prearrangements With Us

While it’s so important to have these discussions with your family, it’s hugely beneficial to actually sit with us and make your own prearrangements. This way you can make most all of the decisions and selections in advance, relieving your family of having to do it at a most difficult time. While there are many benefits to prepaying your arrangements, you can make those prearrangements without prepayment if you so choose.

If you’d like more advice on approaching your family to discuss your final wishes, contact us – Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, your Jewish funeral home in East Brunswick, NJ for other tips. While we’re here to help plan Jewish funerals, we’re also your resource with most any funeral-related topic. Located at 454 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, Mount Sinai serves families throughout Central Jersey including Milltown, Edison, Sayreville and the surrounding areas. Give us a call with any questions you have, we’re happy to help! (732) 390-9199.