WELLINGTON COUNTY – Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences, and navigating the aftermath can often be an overwhelming time filled with uncertainty.
Funeral planning and making decisions for a lost loved one presents a unique challenge, however there are options available to eliminate that stress, including pre-planned funerals.
“We’re seeing more and more people every year do it,” said Dean Brombal, president and managing director of Brombal Funeral Home and Cremation Care in Guelph.
“I think it’s really an essential part of estate planning.”
Pre-planned funerals, which have been steadily gaining traction over the past few years, aim to accommodate all funeral styles and requests.
“We’re able to assist families in any type of wish that they would need,” said Brombal. “From very, very elaborate to the most simple, and everything in between … it’s all based on what a family’s wishes can be. Sometimes it’s faith driven. Other times it’s more of a celebratory thing, sometimes it’s a minimalist approach.”
Brombal told the Advertiser that pre-planning one’s funeral can grant more “peace of mind” to those surviving the deceased.
“Pre-planning allows you to leave a blueprint that your survivors can act upon, and they know that these were your instructions,” he said.
“That provides them with a lot of comfort in your absence.”
Pre-planned funerals can also be paid for in advance.
“Anything that is prepaid on our contract is then guaranteed in full and guaranteed that it will never cost you another penny,” said Brombal.
In the event there is a shortfall at the time of the funeral, Brombal said his funeral home covers the costs, and if there is an excess that has been paid, the remainder is refunded to the estate of the deceased.
“It’s a really, really wonderful gift to leave your survivors,” said Brombal.
Changes to a pre-planned service can be made, Brombal said, adding he encourages people to update their arrangements regularly, so the service remains a reflection of their current wishes.
“Make sure that it is a current reflection of your wishes. If you do wish to make changes at any time … we encourage you to … update things there and make it relevant,” said Brombal.
“Because again, if you don’t update it, then it really loses what I had mentioned before, about leaving that blueprint, that these were your wishes.”
According to Brombal, there is no age requirement or limit to how far in advance one can start the planning process.
For those interested in pre-planning a funeral, the first step is reaching out to the funeral home of your choice and scheduling an in-person consultation.
It is here that the details are discussed and the plan is set into motion.
“When a death occurs and things are not planned, … you’re now thrust into making a lot of very consequential decisions,” said Brombal.
“We’re all individuals. I think our funerals should reflect that … it should reflect [the deceased’s] wishes and also meet the needs of the survivors.”
