Five Critical Questions

Helping Your Loved Ones Heal

Five (5) Critical Questions Your Survivors Want You to Answer

By: Bob Buhrig, Owner/Supervisor, Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory

How can we help those who have lost loved ones heal?  This heart-wrenching question has very personalized answers.  Every person and family is different and what will be comforting and healing to one family may not provide the same to another.

In my many years caring for families who have lost loved ones, I have found that most survivors find great comfort when their loved ones have answered five critical questions.  Answering these questions facilitates healing by allowing the family to honor their loved one’s final wishes.

Question 1 – Body Burial, Cremation or Donation?

Most people feel strongly about what is to happen with their body after death.  It is very helpful for survivors to know the answer. Additionally, all three options require different planning.

Question 2 – Where will your body be buried, donated, or will your cremated remains go?

There are many ways to answer this question and it is a very personal choice influenced by faith, life experiences, and more.  Here are some questions to consider:

- If you choose whole body burial, do you have a preference about the cemetery?  Do you prefer earth burial or entombment in a mausoleum?

- If you choose to be cremated, will your remains stay whole or be divided?  Do you prefer to be scattered either on land or in the water, interred in a cemetery, or reposed in an urn and taken home?

- If you choose to donate, which anatomical program do you prefer?

Question 3 – Do you want a public viewing?

Most people have a strong opinion about public viewing.

Question 4 – Will you allow your family to say goodbye to you face-to-face? 

While you may not want a public viewing, allowing close family members to see you one last time and to say goodbye can be deeply healing.  Before you deny your family this farewell, ask yourself exactly when and how you will die.  If you don’t know, and of course you don’t, consider that the circumstances of your death could be such that your survivors will need to say goodbye.  Will you give them permission?

Question 5 – What kind of service or celebration do you want? 

This question has a plethora of options that can be personalized specifically to your desires.  Our caring team is honored to walk with people as they navigate the multitude of choices and details.

Knowing the answers to these questions helps hurting families to begin healing.  If you have questions about how to plan these details or would like Bob Buhrig to come and speak to your group about planning ahead or protecting your family, please contact us at Directors@Buhrig.com or (717) 766-3421.