If we think about it, our lives are like a good book. There is a specific beginning and there will be a specific ending. Each phase from birth to death represents a chapter. Throughout our lives as we experience the current chapter, all of us have hopes and dreams and many of us make plans for the next chapter. We rarely want to think about the very last chapter. It is just too hard.
We see it here often at the Beth El Mausoleum. Families struggling to make a decision for a loved one, not being sure if this decision is truly what their loved one would have wanted. All because of the fact that there were no plans in place or no final wishes left to go by.
Depending upon the book of your life, you may or may not be a planner.
Some people live life day-by-day and don’t think about tomorrow. They live more on the edge and don’t like to dwell on the future, or in some cases don’t financially invest in it.
“So there your family is – stuck in a chapter of a book of your life – with no words in it. They now are the ones who have to write that chapter.”
Others think of the future and plan for it. They have bucket lists with all sorts of must-do experiences. They make detailed arrangements, they budget for now and strategize for a comfortable retirement down the line.
Part of that process is accounting for adequate savings to last for the remainder of their lives. They may draw up a last will and testament, perhaps provide for an advance directive, and power of attorney for someone… a trusted individual to step in on their behalf if needed. But often one detail is left out… planning for a final resting place. Because, yes it seems hard.
Some of the most detailed planners amongst us, can’t seem to face that important step and have no end-of- life plans in place. But ultimately every one of us will need a final resting place. It is a fact of life that we must accept. Not planning for it ourselves, puts it in the hands of others. And that is generally so difficult in so many ways. They are grieving. They may not have the funds to pay for a burial or know exactly what your final wishes are.
So there your family is – stuck in a chapter of a book of your life – with no words in it. They now are the ones who have to write that chapter, and it is so challenging to do when the decisions are being made during a very sad and painful time.
“This particular chapter can be written in advance, and no one has to read it until the time comes. The comforting part is knowing that you wrote it yourself.”
Pre-planning for our end-of-life wishes is no different than pre-planning for our retirement. It actually is part of the process. Deciding a budget, choosing a location, and making the arrangements ourselves, so that all our family has to do is turn to the pre-arranged documents with the information, and make the call.
Should you choose to make pre-arrangements at our beautiful and tranquil Beth El Mausoleum, when the time comes, our caring Mausoleum Director and clergy will take it from there. Your family will have our full support and the knowledge that they are doing exactly what you wanted.
This particular chapter can be written in advance, and no one has to read it until the time comes. The comforting part is knowing that you wrote it yourself, and that those who love you will find the path easier as they face that chapter of saying good-bye to you. For more information about pre-need planning at the Beth El Mausoleum, please email our Mausoleum Director, Mike Sirowitz or call him at 561-391-8901. Together we can help you plan for that last chapter, and then you can go on living the current ones in the book of your life, to the fullest.
