Pre-Planning your funeral
Like making a will, pre-planning your funeral will help ease the stress for your loved ones following your passing.
When you pre-plan your funeral you can choose how you would like to be remembered and importantly what you would like to happen with your body.
You will also have the chance to consider the cost of your funeral expenses. Finalising the details and budgeting for this expense can help reduce stress for your family about the cost, or prevent them from overspending in the first place.
The person who you have chosen to be the executor of your will, would also most likely be the person responsible for putting in place your pre-determined arrangements. Whilst it is always a difficult conversation to have, ensure your elected person is agreeable to this role and understands your wishes so they can fulfill them.
Some things that you will need to consider are:
- What kind of memorial service would I want? Any specific music, photos, quotes or readings
- What would you like to happen to your body? Burial or cremation for example.
- Are there people you like to be involved in the service to deliver eulogies or readings?
- Who would you like to be informed about your passing?
- Would you like people to make a donation to your chosen charity in your honour in lieu of sending flowers to your loved ones?
These are just some decisions that you can make. You can find further information on pre-planning your funeral here
Brain Donation
Did you know that you can help in the advancement of research via brain donation? Donating your brain following your death is vital in helping researchers better understand Huntington’s disease.
If this is something you would like to do it is important to talk with your loved ones or medical treatment decision maker so that in your passing, your brain tissue can be collected and stored as soon as possible.
For further information on brain donation please contact the Australian Organ Donor Register
Please note, in Victoria as of September 2021 the Victorian Brain Bank is no longer accepting registrations for brain donation. Please refer to the Victorian Brain Bank for further information. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our information service.