If you’re anything like our staff here at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory, you’re looking forward to a time when we’re not “making history”! A historic pandemic, historic weather events leading to historic power outages – it’s been one thing after another, hasn’t it?

A major lesson we’ve learned time and time again over the last year is to expect the unexpected. We’ve also learned the value of planning ahead and being prepared. After all, no one wants to have to make big decisions in the face of a crisis or under emotional duress. By exploring options and making plans now, there’s a lot less to worry about later.

One way that many of our neighbors in Big Spring, Midland, and Stanton are making plans is by putting their own funeral and burial plans in writing. Most tell us that they want to express their preferences instead of leaving these decisions to their family. Others mention that they’ve been thinking more about their own mortality and want to be sure their funeral is a reflection of their life. Others still say they have strong opinions about cremation and want to be sure the funeral home knows what they want.

We’ll make sure these wishes and preferences become a reality. Consider these five reasons Texans like you are choosing to preplan:

1. There’s time to consider options. Most funerals are put together quickly while the family is experiencing unusual stress and sadness. After a loved one dies, those closest to them gather to sort through the 100+ decisions that need to be discussed. When you make many of these decisions yourself ahead of time, you have the luxury of considering each element. This includes the details that might get overlooked if someone else plans your funeral.
2. Planning eases family stress. Many families we talk with in Big Spring, Midland, and Stanton are caught off guard by the emotions they experience after a loved one’s death. There’s no way to predict how a death will affect you – and the grief process is often much more challenging than expected. Imagine your family trying to figure out what you would have wanted at your funeral. They probably would not agree on every detail, which can lead to conflict as each person thinks they know best. When these decisions are already made, you can eliminate the need for your family to debate, discuss, and guess what you would have wanted. Think of how much easier it will be on your family if the funeral plans are already in place.
3. You take control of the finances. There is a common misconception that if you choose to preplan, you also have to prepay. At Nalley-Pickle & Welch, that is not the case. If you prefer, we can simply save all of your preferences for when the time comes. There are advantages to prepaying, including taking the burden of paying for the service from your family’s shoulders. It’s common knowledge that those who are grieving often throw caution to the wind and spend more. This won’t be an issue if your decisions are already in place.
4. Your information will be easily accessible when the time comes. We’ve heard many stories about a loved one who left end-of-life directions in their will or a safe deposit box – but these were not opened or read until after the funeral. When you preplan, you can have confidence your wishes will be at the ready precisely when they are needed.
5. You will have peace of mind knowing your preferences will be honored. Because we will keep a detailed list of all your plans on file at no cost, you can walk away relieved that your arrangements are in place exactly as you envisioned.

Like with so many other parts of life, a little planning now pays off later. Whether you’d feel more comfortable with a large funeral or a smaller, private service, whether you prefer cremation or traditional burial, your preferences will be followed. In all our years helping preplan, one thing has remained the same: No one ever regrets putting their arrangements in place – and we’ve made the process as easy as possible.

You can preplan using our online form, by appointment over the phone or video chat, or in person at any of our funeral home locations in Big Spring, Midland, and Stanton. We even have a preplanning checklist available online that outlines all of the documents needed to complete the arrangement process. We encourage you get started today to simplify your own life and the lives of those closest to you.