YOURCREATIVECHORD.COM
  • Get My Ebook!
  • GET 2020 Calendars!
  • Home
    • ABOUT
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • Links
    • Contact
  • Sign-Up!
  • INSPIRATION
    • PODCAST
    • CAREGIVER
  • CREATIVITY
    • PIANO
    • INTERVIEWS WITH CREATORS
    • COMPOSING
  • RESOURCES
    • Inspiring Books
    • Self-Care Resources
    • Music Resources >
      • PIANO RESOURCES >
        • Piano Basics Ebook
      • Music-Related For Children
    • Pool & Outdoor Resources >
      • Nature Books For Children

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR END-OF-LIFE STORY

7/16/2019

1 Comment

 
Download your FREEBIE: WHAT YOU NEED TO BEAT YOUR INSOMNIA!
Kentucky summer sunset, with grassy field in front, and orange, yellow, pink, sky with fluffy pink and grey clouds surrounding sunset rays, photo by Jenny Leigh Hodgins
Kentucky summer sunset photo by Jenny Leigh Hodgins. (Photo links to YCC's Instagram.)
Sample obituary template by YourCreativeChord.com Sample obituary template by YourCreativeChord.com
by Jenny Leigh Hodgins


If you don't know where to start with planning a memorial, this is part of a series of blogs on this topic.Read the first blog here: How To Ease Burden By Your Loving Preparation.


THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU SUFFER A LOSS 
In many different scenarios, I’ve stood by to watch my family members and friends be completely and utterly unable to function when facing the loss of a loved one. Due to lack of planning, or when others were nonfunctional, I handled some challenging things. 


I’ve held the sacred honor of being present enough to step up and fulfill various roles so that the grieving process and public rituals for the deceased could be honored as respectfully as possible. 


From making phone calls to inform others of the sad news, planning memorial agendas, writing obituaries and creating memorial programs, to composing and performing piano or vocal music, or leading spoken eulogies, I’ve worn many hats with regard to the sad, difficult time of loss.


It was gut-wrenching for me each time. Through my personal anguish, and the torment of seeing others I care for going through their sorrow, I also saw firsthand the things that heaped more insult to this injury of the heart. Loss is something we must all endure one day. Death knocks on every door at some point.


I don’t claim to be an expert at memorial planning. There are as many different ways to handle an end-of-life situation as there are people in the world. I humbly embrace my experiences with these ending chapters, though, and want to offer help by sharing my knowledge of things to consider. 


WHERE TO START WHEN DEALING WITH LOSS 
Facing the suffering of loss and grief is complex, grueling and exhausting. It’s necessary to find a way through this process and manage communication to others, and a ceremony, service or ritual for closure that is comforting to you and others experiencing loss. 


Even if your plan excludes a public or traditional memorial service, informing those you love about your preferences alleviates confusion and pain after you’re gone. Dealing with this can be more excruciating when you don’t have a plan.


I’ve personally witnessed tragic situations of sudden loss, where no plan was in place. Grieving people have difficulty thinking, concentrating, communicating, or even functioning. This causes tremendous angst for surviving loved ones. Communication in this context can be incomplete, chaotic, and confusing. This adds to further stress for everyone involved.


No matter how you want to handle this, it’s important to think about it before you need a plan, so that your suffering and that of others is alleviated.


When there is a plan in place, though grief is still unavoidable, there is at least a structure to follow. This takes the pressure off of you and others experiencing loss, so you may go through the motions of whatever ritual you or your loved one has in place. 


Not having to figure it out or think about it or communicate with others who are grieving too, makes everything a little easier for everyone involved.


HOW TO PREPARE YOUR END-OF-LIFE STORY
People need to be informed when someone has died. Getting an obituary published in a local newspaper and/or through a funeral home’s website is a common way to make the unpleasant announcement.


Things you need to consider include having an obituary ready. If finances are an issue, there are ways to get the word out with the least expense.


HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU NEED AN OBITUARY 
A written, publicly posted obituary is especially important if you want friends and family to attend the memorial. This lessens your burden of making calls or sending messages while you are under duress.


If finances are an issue, it’s even more important to plan ahead. Writing an obituary can be stressful enough without having to worry about the cost. Be aware that having an obituary printed through a funeral business, or directly with the local newspaper, can be costly. 


Though the funeral company may offer to send in the obituary, they generally will not bring this expense to your attention. Instead, you will later receive the bill from the newspaper. You should also know that if you write more than a few lines for the obituary, that will easily run the printing cost to more than $800. 

​
WRITE TWO OBITUARY VERSIONS
You can save this cost by creating a short version. If you submit only the most basic details for newspaper publication, and specify this shortened version to the funeral business, the newspaper’s shortened obituary version will cost you nothing. 


Create a short version using only the most basic details, such as the name of deceased, date of death, time and place of memorial services. Here is a simple example of a short version obituary that will cost nothing:


“Danielle (Dannie) Lewis Ford, 55, passed away June 17, 2018. Join a celebration of Dannie’s life, June 28, 6pm at Greenleaf Funeral Home. Visitation from 5pm.”


Even this minimal information could cost something if your word choices extend past a few lines. The funeral home should be able to clarify whether your wording will print free of charge.  If not, consider shortening the sentences to keep things concise.


Some may feel that this brief amount of words doesn’t do justice to those we’ve lost. Fortunately, most funeral companies also allow a longer and fully detailed obituary to be posted on their company website. You may then share the link from that website with your social media, or by email or text free of charge.

​



​

THINGS TO INCLUDE IN AN OBITUARY
For the longer version, you may include as much information on the deceased as you want. You may use my example below as a template, by replacing the information with your own.  


You may want to include the birthplace and date, accomplishments such as education or awards, military service, and career milestones. Surviving family and close friends are often listed in an obituary. 


You may also wish to include things that were important to your loved one, like their favorite subjects, hobbies, charities, causes, religious affiliations, and so on. 


You may include as much information as you desire in this longer version without incurring cost. Sharing comforting quotes or poetry, and even a photo collage may be submitted for the funeral company to upload onto your designated obituary tribute. Your words allow surviving loved ones to remember treasured memories, shared experiences, and personality traits that made this person special to all who were acquainted.


Below is an example of a longer version, suitable for the funeral home’s website. Feel free to use this as a template to prepare an obituary. Having one as a reference is a great relief to those who will be there when you’re gone.


I know this is a delicate and emotionally taxing topic for all. But if you get a few things in order well in advance of need, you and your loved ones will rest easy and at peace.




























​

​





​

​I’d love to hear from you. It means a lot to me that my content is helpful and empowers you. Please take a moment to join the conversation below to let me know if this blog is helpful or if you have questions or suggestions! 



Stay tuned for my next blog: Things to consider for a memorial agenda. 


Also coming soon: My Memorial Pack including: easy-to-use templates for writing an obituary, memorial programs, downloadable memorial agenda checklist, music tracks and poetry (suitable for memorials/loss). 

Recommended Reading:
5 Ways to Master Caregiver Learning Curve

HOW TO USE SELF-CARE TO FEEL HAPPY

How To Ease Burden By Your Loving Preparation
​

Your Troubles Are Your Progress Barometer & Catalyst For Your Full Potential

5 Ways To Use Music & Nature For Self-Care

Defeat Fear & Doubt with Your Courage & Capability

How To Deflect Negativity To Become Happier

Believing In The Positive

​
My Top Tips For Winning Over Insomnia


 
Connect with YOURCREATIVECHORD on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook!

GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD: TOP 10 THINGS TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS!
CHECKOUT MY RESOURCES FOR CREATIVITY & SPIRITUAL WELLNESS!
1 Comment

    CAREGIVER

    In my Caregiver blogs, you'll find I understand the internal struggles and daily stress as a caregiver juggling entrepreneurial life.

    ​Based on my experiences, I offer a clear guide for developing positive self-care while transforming stress into powerful inspiration.

    See My Recommended Resources for Self-Care!

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    4 Ways To Manage Stress
    Add Something Personally Meaningful To You Or Loved Ones
    A Funeral Home’s Website
    Aging
    Aging Parent
    Aging Well
    A Memorial Plan
    And Joyfully Inspire Others
    And Programs
    An Elaborate Casket
    An Event That Honors Your Memory
    Anxiety
    Appreciation
    As A Tribute To Our Loved One
    A Sense Of Closure
    Available Space For Burial Plots
    Average Funeral Costs
    Avoiding Burnout
    A Way To Bring Comfort
    Balance Between Practicing Self-care And Care For Others
    Base Your Memorial Plans On Your Compassion For Those Who Will Be Left Behind
    Base Your Plans On Your Compassion For Those Who Will Be Left Behind
    Beautiful
    Beautiful Celebration Of Life
    Be More Comfortable Giving A Eulogy
    Blogger
    Blow Off Steam
    Boost Your Productivity
    Bravery
    Breathe
    Brilliant Treasure
    Buddhist
    Burnout Happens Faster
    Calm
    Care For Others
    Care For Others Through Memorial Planning
    Caregiver
    Caregiver Journey
    Caregiver Joy
    Caregiver Stories
    Caregiver Story
    Caregiver Support
    Caregiver View
    Caregiver Wellness
    Caregiving
    Caregiving Issues
    Caroling
    Catalyst For Creativity
    Celebrate
    Celebration
    Celebration Of Life
    Cemetery For The Burial
    Ceremony
    Chorus
    Christmascarols
    Comfort
    Comfort And Even Healing To Those Dealing With Loss
    Communicating
    Compassionate
    Compassionate Memorial Planning
    Compassion For Both Self And Others
    Composer
    Concentrating
    Consider Your Ultimate Wishes
    Contribute To Others
    Coordinate Memorial Tasks
    Copingwithstress
    Create Value From Our Suffering
    Create Value From Suffering
    Creating A Photo Display Board
    Creating Memorial Programs
    Creative
    Creative Inspiration
    Creative Tribute To The Loved One
    Creativity
    Creativity Can Be Born From Both Deep Suffering And Great Joy
    Creativity From Suffering
    Cremation
    Dealing Directly With Death
    Dealing With Death
    Dealing With End-of-life Issues
    Dealing With Grief
    Dealing With Loss
    Deal With Memorial Issues
    Death
    Death And Grief
    Death As Creative Catalyst
    Death As Creative Inspiration
    Death As Inspiration For Living Fully
    Death Issues
    Death Knocks On Every Door
    Difficult Time Of Loss
    Do Something Special For Closure
    Downtime
    E-book Offering My Tips For Preparing Memorial Agendas
    Educator
    Ego
    Embalming
    Embrace Our Unavoidable
    End-of-life
    End-of-life Issues
    End-of-life Plan
    End Of Life Planning
    End-of-life Planning'
    Entrepreneur
    Entrepreneurlife
    Eulogies
    Everything Connects
    Exercise
    Exists Inside Of Me
    Experiencing Loss
    Expert At Memorial Planning
    Face The Difficult
    Facing Death
    Facing The Suffering Of Loss
    Falling Behind
    Fame Or Fortune
    Family
    Filling Up My Tank
    Final Wishes
    For A Memorial Agenda
    Fostering The Energy For Creative Inspiration
    Frustrations
    Full Of Energy
    Funeral Services
    Generation
    Getting An Obituary Published
    Gift Of Music
    Giving A Eulogy
    Grave Site Plots
    Greater Spirit For Living In The Present Moment
    Grief
    Grief Affects Everyone’s Ability To Function
    Grief As Catalyst For Creativity
    Grief Can Make It Challenging
    Grief Is Complex
    Grief Process
    Grieving Can Make It Highly Difficult To Function
    Grieving People Have Difficulty Thinking
    Grieving Process
    Grieving The Loss Of A Loved One
    Having An Obituary Printed Through A Funeral Business
    Having An Obituary Ready
    Having A Plan For Funding A Memorial
    Having A Plan For Funding Your Memorial
    Healing For Grief
    Healing Through Loss
    Healing Through Memorial Planning
    Healing To Those Dealing With Loss
    Health
    Health And Wellness
    Helpforcaregivers
    Holidaymusic
    Holidays
    Honor
    Honoring Loved Ones
    Honoring Loved One With Memorial Plan
    Honor Loved One
    Honor The Memory
    Honor Your Memories
    How Can Memorial Planning Be Inspiring & Beautiful?
    How Do We Nurture Ourselves Through Difficult Moments
    How Grief Deeply Affects Others
    How To Ease Burden By Your Loving Preparation
    How To Plan Ahead For Death So You Don't Have To Worry
    How To Plan A Memorial
    How To Prepare An Obituary
    How To Write An Obituary
    Ice
    If You’re Paying For Funeral Services
    Include As Much Information On The Deceased
    Include In A Memorial Agenda
    Informing Those You Love About Your Preferences
    Initiate The Difficult Conversations
    Inspiration
    Inspirational
    Inspirational Memorial
    Inspirational Stories
    Inspired Living
    Inspire Others
    Inspire Others To Live Even More Fully
    Inspiring
    ​inspiring Legacy
    ​inspiring Legacy To Leave Behind
    Inspiring Memorial
    Inspiring Poems
    Inspiring Tribute To Loved One
    Jigyo Keta
    Journaling
    Joyfully Inspire
    Joyfully Inspire Others
    Just Breathe
    Karmic Thread
    Kilimanjaro
    Kwaanza
    Living Fully
    Location For The Memorial Service
    Look Beyond Illusion
    Losing A Loved One
    Loss
    Loss And Grief
    Loss As Catalyst For Creativity
    Loss Of A Loved One
    Loss Will Impact Everyone
    Lyricist
    Macrocosm
    Make Your Will Known In Advance
    Making Things Easier For Everyone Through Memorial Planning
    Making Time
    Manage Stress
    Meaningful Creative Expressions
    Memorial
    Memorial Agenda
    Memorial As A Legacy
    Memorial Issues
    Memorial Plan And Structure Brings Serenity
    Memorial Planning
    Memorial Planning As A Way To Bring Comfort
    Memorial Planning Brings Peace Of Mind
    Memorial Planning Takes Courage
    Memorial Planning Tips
    Memorial Program Design
    Memorial Program Planning Template
    MEMORIAL SETUP CONSIDERATIONS
    Mind Body Spirit
    Mother Daughter
    Mountain Climbing
    Move Your Body
    Music
    Musiclistening
    Music Therapy
    Music Video
    Muster Your Bravery
    Nature
    Nature And Creativity
    Nature Scenes
    Neglecting Myself
    New Caregiver
    No One Is Ever Ready For The Death Of A Loved One
    Nurturing Creativity
    Nurturing Creativity And Inspiration
    Nurturing Inspiration
    Nurturing Self And Others
    Nurturing Self And Others Through Grief
    Nurturing Self Through Difficulties
    Obituaries
    Obituary Preparation
    Obituary Writing Tips
    Open Casket Viewing
    Opt For Cremation
    Optimistic Poetry
    Or Even Functioning
    Original Music
    Original Piano Music
    Original Poetry
    Oxygen Mask
    Pallbearers
    Passion For Life
    Paying For Funeral Services
    Peace And Calm
    Peace Of Mind
    Peace Of Mind You Gain From Having A Memorial Plan
    Personal Message
    Photos
    Piano Music
    Plan Ahead For Death
    Plan A Memorial
    Planning A Celebration Of Life
    Planning Ahead Brings Peace Of Mind
    Planning Ahead For Anything Brings Peace Of Mind
    Planning Ahead For Your Memorial
    Planning A Memorial
    Play Is Essential For Innovation
    Podcast Host
    Poet
    Poetic
    Poetic Life
    Poet Jenny Leigh Hodgins
    Poetry
    Poetry By Jenny Leigh Hodgins
    Poetslife
    Positive Value
    Practicing Self-care
    Preparation Takes The Burden Off Surviving Loved Ones
    PREPARE YOUR END-OF-LIFE STORY
    Prepare Your Memorial Plans
    Preparing For A Memorial
    Preparing Memorial Agendas
    Public Or Traditional Memorial Service
    Reducing Stress
    Refresh Your Wellness
    Refuel Creativity
    Rejuvenate
    Relationship To The Deceased
    Relax
    Relying On A Funeral Home
    Remember Treasured Memories
    Renewed Spirit
    Sad
    Selfcare
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self Care Benefits
    Self-care Benefits
    Self Soothe
    Seniorliving
    Serene
    Service Or Ritual For Closure
    Short Version Obituary
    Significant And Meaningful To Those Grieving The Loss Of A Loved One
    Snow
    Something Needs To Be Said
    Soothe Your Soul
    Spelling Out Your Memorial Wishes In A Will
    Spiritual Wellness
    Spoken Eulogies
    Starting Over
    Strategies For Inspiration
    Stress
    Successful People Exercise
    Suffering And Joy
    Suffering As Inspiration
    Summer Fun
    Support For Caregivers
    Surviving
    Swimming Pool
    Swimming Pool Fun
    Take A Break
    Take Time Off
    Talk About Death
    Template To Prepare An Obituary
    The Cost Of The Burial
    The Inevitable End
    Therapy
    Things Necessary For A Musical Performance
    Things That Inspire
    Things To Consider For A Memorial Agenda
    THINGS TO INCLUDE IN AN OBITUARY
    Think About The Difficult Topics Of Loss
    Think About What Is Meaningful
    Thoughtful Memorial Plan
    Tips For Preparing Memorial Agendas
    Tips On How To Plan A Memorial
    Tombstones
    Tranquil
    Transformation
    Transformation Of An Intensely Difficult Experience
    Tribute To Life
    Unplug
    Uplifting Poetry
    Ups And Downs Of Life
    Vent Your Stress
    Video
    Video Message
    Viewing An Open Casket
    Volunteer
    Walk In Nature
    Walk Outdoors
    Ways To Manage Stress
    We Have The Potential To Create Value
    We Have The Potential To Create Value From Our Suffering
    Wellness
    What Do You Need To Know About Preparing Your Memorial
    What To Include In A Memorial Agenda
    When Choosing Cremation
    When Dealing With Loss
    When People Are Faced With A Loss
    When Someone Has Died
    Winter
    Winter Scene
    Winter Scene Nature Video
    Writer
    Writing
    Writing An Obituary
    Your Inspiring Legacy
    Your Religious Institution
    Your Surviving Loved Ones
    Your Thoughtful Preparation Will Take The Burden Off Surviving Loved Ones
    Zest For Life

    RSS Feed

Creative Strategies

Creativity
Interviews with Creators
Composing
Piano
Caregiver
Inspiration

YourCreativeChord

About

Support

Terms of Use
​Contact
​
Affiliates Disclosure
Privacy Policy

Resources

Pool & Outdoor
Music
Self-Care
Inspiring Books 
© COPYRIGHT 2018/2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Get My Ebook!
  • GET 2020 Calendars!
  • Home
    • ABOUT
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • Links
    • Contact
  • Sign-Up!
  • INSPIRATION
    • PODCAST
    • CAREGIVER
  • CREATIVITY
    • PIANO
    • INTERVIEWS WITH CREATORS
    • COMPOSING
  • RESOURCES
    • Inspiring Books
    • Self-Care Resources
    • Music Resources >
      • PIANO RESOURCES >
        • Piano Basics Ebook
      • Music-Related For Children
    • Pool & Outdoor Resources >
      • Nature Books For Children