Gateway Funeral Services: Why it’s good to talk about end of life plans
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That might seem a rather blunt thing to say – after all, death is something we tend to shy away from – but in the fullness of time it could prove to be one of the best things you ever did.
That’s the message from independent family-run funeral director Gateway Funeral Services, which has branches in Birkenshaw, Wibsey, Batley and Denby Dale.
Lucy Hitchcock, of Gateway Funeral Services, spends a lot of her time selling pre-paid funeral plans and, more often than not, the reason she is asked to arrange one is so the person taking out the plan can arrange the funeral they want, rather than leaving difficult decisions regarding their wishes with their family.
TALK TO GATEWAY FUNERAL SERVICES: For more information visit www.gateway funerals.co.uk or call 0800 007 6842.
Gateway Funeral Services is always there for you and your family – its team operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Lucy said: “The most recent figures from Sun Life suggest 49 per cent, or almost half of all people, didn’t even know whether they would have wanted a burial or a cremation.
"And 18 per cent, which is almost one in five, didn’t know any of their loved one’s funeral wishes.”
Sun Life found only 0.3 per cent knew everything their relative wanted on the day, down from a still tiny one in 100 in the previous year’s survey.
“It really needn’t be a taboo subject,” said Lucy. “As the old telephone advert said, it’s good to talk – and if you do it now it will be a huge weight off everyone’s shoulders, both immediately and when the time comes.”
A member of the Gateway team will be happy to be part of these discussions, either at the time or afterwards, in a spirit of sensitivity, openness and honesty.
“We will guide and advise but it’s your choice and we will do all we can to meet your wishes as closely as possible,” said Lucy.
“So many families come to us during their time of grief not knowing what their loved one would have wanted, making a heartbreaking time more difficult.
“So speak to one another for peace of mind all round: you won’t regret it.”
Since 2008, Gateway Funeral Services have provided care to families in both the local community and the wider Yorkshire area.
As an independent, family-owned business, it understands how difficult it can be to lose someone and how important it is to approach every funeral from a unique and personal perspective.
The company is committed to upholding the highest professional standards and providing a unique level of service.
It will provide the guidance and support to ensure that all the funeral arrangements are carried out as efficiently as possible.
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