National Plan A Funeral Day: Honor Oct 30.

National Plan A Funeral Day: Honor Oct 30

National Plan A Funeral Day: Honor Oct 30.

Have you ever thought about how planning a funeral ahead of time could be a kind act for your family? It shows you care about them.

National Plan A Funeral Day is marked on October 30. It's also called Create a Great Funeral Day. The day got its start in 1999 thanks to Stephanie West Allen. It helps people start talks on what they want for their own funeral. These talks can cover choices about organ donation, burial or cremation, and even contributions to charities. The day also highlights green funeral options like eco-friendly shrouds. Celebrating this day ensures our wishes are known, easing our family's burden.

october 30 is national plan a funeral day

Key Takeaways

National Plan A Funeral Day is observed on October 30 to encourage discussions about funeral preferences and end-of-life arrangements.
The day was established in 1999 by Stephanie West Allen to alleviate the stress of funeral planning for grieving families.
Topics for discussion include organ donation, burial or cremation preferences, and obituary content.
Eco-friendly funeral options such as biodegradable shrouds and caskets are highlighted.
Planning ahead ensures that our loved ones' legacies are honored according to their wishes.

The Significance of National Plan A Funeral Day

National Plan A Funeral Day is very important. It encourages us to think ahead about funeral plans. This day is marked in the United States and Canada. It's a time to discuss what we want for our funeral with family, tackling a subject many avoid: death.

Stephanie West Allen, who is both a lawyer and therapist, started this day. She understood how tough planning a funeral can be. By choosing a day each year to think about this, we can lessen the stress for our grieving loved ones. It ensures our final wishes, like organ donation and burial choices, are known.

The word for funeral comes from the Latin "funus," which ties to death and funeral rituals. This speaks to the long history and cultural depth of funerals. Thanks to modern technology, families now have more time to plan these services. Sometimes, funerals can even be three days after a person has passed.

Authors like Erika Dillman and Gail Rubin have made funeral planning easier to approach. Dillman's book encourages fun and less stressful funeral services . Rubin's work offers ideas for meaningful farewells. Other books educate us on global funeral traditions. This helps us make choices that respect our background and personal wishes.

Many historical funerals have drawn large crowds. For example, Benjamin Franklin's funeral in 1790 had 20,000 mourners. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s funeral in 1945 also attracted huge attention. These events show the value of readiness and the community aspect of saying goodbye.

By marking National Plan A Funeral Day, we ensure our funeral plans are well thought out. It’s a day that reminds us to discuss our wishes, considering both old and new funeral traditions. It’s about honoring our life story and making things easier for those we leave behind.

Below is a table summarizing notable funeral gatherings in U.S. history. It shows how crucial planning and community involvement are:

Historical Figure	Year	Estimated Attendees	Details
Benjamin Franklin	1790	20,000	Philadelphia community gathered to honor Franklin
John Adams	1826	4,000	Significant turnout reflecting his presidential legacy
James A. Garfield	1881	100,000+	Viewed by numerous mourners at the Capitol rotunda
William McKinley	1901	Large crowd	Lying in state at the Capitol rotunda
Franklin D. Roosevelt	1945	Thousands	Procession involved a horse-drawn caisson

How to Start the Funeral Planning Process

Starting the funeral planning process might seem hard, but it's vital for honoring your wishes and those of your loved ones. It's more than just the logistics; it creates a meaningful experience that helps heal those who remain. Here are three basic steps to follow:

Open Communication

First, talk openly about end-of-life choices. National Plan A Funeral Day on October 30 is a perfect time to start these conversations. Discuss organ donation, burial or cremation, and memorial services. This discussion brings peace of mind to both you and your family. Making these choices known early respects everyone's wishes.

Document Your Wishes

After talking about your preferences, write them down clearly. Mention if you prefer burial or cremation and any specific funeral ceremony desires. Decide if you want the casket present or a viewing before the service. Writing down your wishes helps with planning the service. It guides the funeral arrangements , respecting the family’s preferences, faith, and budget.

Work with a Professional

Working with a professional funeral service makes planning easier. Families First at Edwards in Columbus, Ohio, offers great support. They ensure arrangements follow your wishes. With their help, navigating options like rental caskets or organizing receptions becomes simpler. Planning ahead, including pre-arranged plans, is key for a respectful service.

By taking these steps, we make funeral and burial planning thoughtful and respectful. It also becomes less stressful for everyone involved.

Remember and Honor Loved Ones: October 30 is National Plan A Funeral Day

National Plan A Funeral Day is about more than planning. It's a time to remember and honor those we've lost. By engaging in heartfelt activities, we keep their memories alive.

Create a Personalized Funeral Service

Creating a personalized funeral service is a beautiful way to remember a loved one. It can reflect their unique life and personality. Each detail of the service can highlight their legacy, whether it's traditional or modern.

Plant a Memorial Garden

A memorial garden is a living tribute that brings comfort to friends and family. It's a peaceful place for remembrance. Funeral services can guide you in creating and caring for a memorial garden.

Share Stories and Memories

Sharing stories and memories celebrates the life of those we've lost. Families First at Edwards promotes such personal memorials. They offer tools for sharing obituaries, sending flowers, or planting a tree in memory, helping honor our loved ones.

Activity	Purpose	Benefit
Personalized Funeral Services	Reflects the unique life and personality of the deceased	Offers a meaningful way to honor loved ones
Memorial Gardens	Provides a living tribute and solace	Offers a tranquil space for remembrance
Sharing Stories and Memories	Celebrates the life and impact of the departed	Helps in the grieving process by connecting on a personal level

Conclusion

National Plan A Funeral Day reminds us to talk about our final wishes. It started in 2000 by Stephanie West Allen. This day helps us have important talks with those we love.

In the last 15 years, funeral planning has changed. It shows how crucial it is to be clear about what we want. By sharing our choices, like organ donation and whether we prefer burial or cremation, we make sure our wishes are known and respected.

This October 30th is the 14th Create a Great Funeral Day. This day shows our dedication to making thoughtful plans. High-profile funerals, like Prince Philip's, show the importance of planning.

When we plan our funerals in advance, we make things easier for our families. This can be especially important during events like caskets week in 2023. It removes a heavy burden from our loved ones during a tough time.

National Plan A Funeral Day is about showing love and thoughtfulness. By planning our funerals, we offer peace and readiness to ourselves and others. Each October 30th gives us a chance to ensure we're remembered as we wish.

To learn more about this and its importance, visit Create a Great Funeral Day.

FAQ

What is National Plan A Funeral Day?

National Plan A Funeral Day is observed on October 30. It is also called Create a Great Funeral Day. Started in 1999 by Stephanie West Allen, it promotes talks and plans about funeral wishes and end-of-life care. This reduces the burden of funeral planning for families in mourning.

Why is National Plan A Funeral Day important?

The day is key because it pushes for planning and discussing end-of-life wishes. It makes the topic of death less taboo. Open conversations ensure preferences are known, giving comfort and clarity. It also touches on organ donation, burial choices, and environmentally friendly funeral options.

How do I start the funeral planning process?

Start by openly discussing your end-of-life preferences. Take note of these wishes and consult a professional funeral service provider. National Plan A Funeral Day encourages us to connect with experts. It's about making choices that reflect our values and leaving a lasting legacy.

What should I document in my funeral plans?

List your choices about organ donation, burial or cremation, and your memorial service's details. Include charitable donations in your name and your obituary's specifics. This will ensure your final wishes are understood and respected.

What are some ways to honor and remember loved ones?

A personalized funeral service can profoundly reflect the deceased's life and character. Planting a memorial garden creates a lasting tribute. Sharing stories keeps their memory alive. Such unique memorials celebrate and honor loved ones in personal ways.

Can funeral planning include eco-friendly options?

Absolutely. National Plan A Funeral Day highlights environmentally friendly funeral choices. Options like biodegradable burial materials and green burials respect ecological values. These practices offer a sustainable way to say goodbye.

How can a professional funeral service provider help?

Funeral professionals help families with planning, making sure it mirrors personal wishes. They provide resources and support. This helps families approach funeral planning thoughtfully and thoroughly.

What role does National Plan A Funeral Day play in reducing the burden on families?

The day offers a chance to talk about and record funeral preferences early. This takes away the stress of guesswork in planning. Families can then focus on mourning and honoring their loved ones, without the worry of last-minute decisions.