5 Tips For Celebrating "Create a Great Funeral Day"

OTTAWA, Oct. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Today is "Create a Great Funeral Day." This annual event gives families the opportunity to talk about death, dying and funerals.

What is a "great funeral?" A great funeral reflects the life of the person who has died. It allows family and friends to grieve and support one another. A great funeral features smiles as well as tears.

To help families celebrate "Create a Great Funeral Day", the Funeral Service Association of Canada offers these five tips for creating a great funeral:

1. Talk about it. Tell loved ones what you want — or don't want — at your funeral.
   
   
2. Make it personal. Your final goodbye should reflect the way you lived your life. Incorporate your favourite music or hobbies. Have your loved ones gather at a house of worship, a funeral home — or even at the golf club. There is no one quite like you, and your funeral should be equally unique!
   
   
3. Explore your options. Funeral trends and technology constantly evolve to meet the needs of Canadian families. Will you have your ashes interred, launched into space or turned into diamonds? Will a Harley Davidson hearse take you to your final resting space? Would you like an eco-friendly funeral and burial? Will you record a video greeting to be played during your funeral? The possibilities are endless!
   
   
4. Listen. Funerals are ABOUT the person who has died, but they are FOR grieving family and friends. What would bring comfort to your loved ones? A "great funeral" pays tribute to the person who has died, but it also meets the emotional needs of the mourners.
   
   
5. Talk to a funeral professional. Licensed funeral directors are happy to answer your questions and outline all your options. If you so desire, you may preplan your funeral. The funeral home will keep a copy of your wishes on file until they are needed. Your local funeral director is an excellent source of information about end of life issues, funeral trends, bereavement, and much more.
   
   

"Create a Great Funeral Day" was launched in 1999 to encourage families to talk about their final wishes. By having a relaxed conversation about funerals, families relieve the stress of worrying about what their loved one would have wanted.

Founded 90 years ago, the Funeral Service Association of Canada promotes the highest professional standards for funeral directors, represents the profession nationally and raises awareness of funeral issues.  To learn more about FSAC, please visit www.fsac.ca.  For more information about planning personalized funerals, visit www.todaysfuneral.com.

SOURCE: Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC)

Eileen Barak, Executive Director
Funeral Service Association of Canada
613.271.2107 / 1.866.841.7779
[email protected]

Laura Sharp, Principal
Sharpshooter PR
905.842.6153 / 416.801-6153
[email protected]