Funeral planning is probably one of the last things anyone wants to do, but it’s essential to consider for the sake of your loved ones. My friend Mike Kujowski is a tough as nails former Marine. He faced death on the battlefield many times. One day I asked him how he would face death from the enemy he couldn’t beat …Old age. Here is what he wrote. FYI… He writes just as bluntly as he speaks.

When I fought as a Marine, I could have died any day. But, I knew my buddies would always bring me back; whether to a hospital, or in a casket for my Mother. Nobody is left behind.

I am now retired, but I am still a Marine…And, I am still alive.

I fought for my Country… And, I fight like Hell for my Family

I write this to share a way I will fight for my family even when I am gone.

The other day I ran into a friend who owns a funeral home here in St. Johns County. We got to talking and as I guess can happen when you talk to a funeral director, the conversation turned to… well, death. Here’s what he said that resonated with me: “Mike, if you plan your funeral now, your wife and kids will be spared a lot of grief when you die. They will know your wishes and what you want them to do… and they won’t have to dig into their wallets to pay for it.”

Then, he brought it home to me when he said, “Remember, when you are dead your voice won’t be heard.”
That got me to be thinking some more, so I talked some other funeral homes about what would be best for me and my family and they gave me pretty much the same advice. I took it to heart. Here it is.

• First, plan your funeral… so your wife and kids don’t have to do it;
• Then, make sure you’ve paid for it… so your wife and kids don’t have to do it;
• You may die when you least expect it so take care of arrangements beforehand… so your wife and kids don’t have to do it;
• Plan it just the way you want it to be… so your wife and kids don’t have to guess.
• Recognize they will be terribly saddened by your passing;
• Appreciate that this is their time to honor you;
• Realize that this is the one time that you won’t be there to help and console them
• And, if you do it… they don’t have to do it.
• So, I did it.

And when I am gone I won’t be left behind.

P.S. They call it “Pre-Planning” your funeral. It made sense to me because I could do it my way and spare my loved ones the details and expense at their time of mourning.