LOVE, GREED & DEATH

The blessings in one’s life consist of good health, happiness, family, great friends, memories, special times together, being loved and to give love, to forgive and to be forgiven.

Every life consists of a time to be born and a time to die. Articles and possessions in life are just that. Everything we own is on lease, we take nothing with us. What we do with our time on this earth matters. We need to take time to make memories with our loved ones, as the memories are what we leave behind for them to cherish. Be humble and kind and treat others with respect and dignity. It costs zero dollars to be a decent human being. Never think that you are above another. Help others when needed and whenever possible. Live life today to the best of your ability and live life as if it were your last day on earth because tomorrow is never promised. In the end our graves are all the same size. For dust you are and dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:19)

Many people wait for retirement to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Enjoy your life by travelling the world, living your dreams, and spending time with your family and friends. Use the words “I Love You” often. Love is what keeps us all together. Never leave someone on bad terms and remember your tongue can be as sharp as a sword.

Deep regret and guilt are the feelings people may have after doing something intentionally or unintentionally wrong. Never go to sleep angry, as you never know if you will wake up to make things better. Do not hold grudges against others as grudge’s take away your inner peace. Fix what is broken and set your soul free.

Greed after death and how to avoid it

Many families find themselves at odds after a loved one’s death. People argue and disagree over money, material possessions, assets and who inherits what?

You can avoid this type of situation by talking with your family and allowing them to know what your wishes are after death. Take time to notarize all your wishes. For example, who will get my jewelry, vehicle, personal belongings, house and money. Once you have this list completed sign it, have it witnessed, and attach it to your will. For your convenience, Voyage has a free online Will you may download and complete. We also offer a “Wishes and Memories” booklet that can be mailed to help guide you through this process.

Sometimes individuals do not share if/where they have insurance, investments, and/or shares in corporations. A Will notifies the location of these and can protect your belongings and your family. A Will is the most important document you can leave behind.  Wills can be as simple or as complex as your life. Business owners and people who own shares in private corporations need special handling in a Will. Complicated family issues such as second or third marriages or blended families may need special attention and thought as well.

A Will should consist of 3 major components:

1) Power of Attorney (POA): This gives the right to the chosen person to act on your behalf if you become mentally or physically unable to.

2) Health Care Directive: This is the designation of one or more people to make medical decisions, consecutively or jointly.

3) Last Will and Testament: This will appoint one or more people to act as Executor or Executrix and Trustee to your Will.

The Power of Attorney title is no longer valid after death. A person may choose the same person(s) to be their Power of Attorney as well as their Executor/Executrix in their Will. Please keep in mind when you appoint your chosen individual(s) a great amount of power and responsibility is given. The person(s) you select should be individuals you know and trust.

Lastly, you will need to select a funeral home. When selecting a funeral home be careful and do your research. Some funeral providers have many hidden costs, and are not upfront with pricing. Others employee high pressured sales staff who benefit from you at your time of need. Others may make you think you are fully preplanned when in fact you are not. Some sell you items such as caskets for cremation and state it is mandatory by law to view your loved one prior to cremation. Others may inform you that you must use the funeral home located on the cemetery property. This is false and misleading.

There are many respectful and honest funeral providers. In my professional opinion, if choosing cremation, it is best to select a funeral home that owns and operates a crematorium. This is extremely important as continuity of care is a must. Ultimately the choice is yours, but why support a funeral home/alternative(s), that have not made the proper investments to own a crematorium to care for your loved one?  Many also falsely advertise about owning and operating a crematorium. Fact is, when using a provider that does not own a crematorium, your loved one is cremated by a third party. This means continuity of care is no longer present. Can this provider guarantee that you are in fact receiving the cremated remains of your loved one? No, as they are not the operator preforming the cremation.

Experience the Voyage difference

Voyage funeral home owns and operates a state of the art cremation facility. If a family requests to be present to say their final good-byes prior to the cremation at our crematorium we offer this service to your family at no charge. Voyage will not sell you a cremation casket, nor tell you that it is mandatory to identify your loved one.   

When you take the time to preplan your arrangements in advance, you relieve your family and loved ones of the emotional stress and possible financial burden. Advance planning will provide immediate relief to your family when they need it most and ensure your final wishes will be carried out as documented. When an individual(s) preplan with Voyage we also lock in the price of services you have selected at today’s cost.

To make a preplan appointment at one of our four locations please call Voyage Funeral Home’s preplan specialist Lisa, at 204-668-3151. Lisa will help guide you through the preplan process with no pressure, no hidden costs and no surprises.

As a funeral director, I cannot take death away nor can I take away the pain.  I do however have empathy and will do my utmost best to carry your family through the most difficult experiences caused by death.  I promise to be honest, loving, caring, understanding and most of all have the greatest compassion, respect and dignity for your family, regardless of your situation.