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  • Writer's pictureMala

Empower Hour Support - How Sue found out she could plan a Funeral that reflected her life

Updated: Feb 17, 2022


Sue contacted me for end-of-life planning support after joining my webinar “Sort your End of Life Planning with Ease" to book her Empower Hour, on the topic of Funeral Planning.


Sue’s expectations and experiences of funerals were limited to her parents and grandparents funerals and saw planning her funeral as a “grim start to the new year”, but both she and her husband knew that they had a responsibility to their sons to start thinking about this and getting it done.


However, by the end of the Empower Hour with me, the relief was palpable and Sue was excited by the choices she realized were available that reflected her values and that didn’t cost the earth.


Sue’s situation



Sue is in her 60s, a Natural Health Practitioner, fit and healthy, and has two sons in their late 20s with her husband.


She wanted to meet with me for end-of-life planning support to discuss their funeral preparations to lessen the burden for their sons when the time came.



They wanted something as cheap as possible and explained they would rather the money go to their sons instead of spending the money on their funerals.



Sue’s perception and experiences of going to funerals were based on her parents and grandparents' funerals which were short services at a crematorium, one in - one out, and were rather depressing and morose experiences.


Over the hour session her options became clear


During the course of our hour together we talked through all their concerns and questions, and I went on to ask Sue and her husband key questions about what was important to them and considerations that they may not have considered.


For example, having a conversation with their sons to see how they felt about their choice and considering who the funeral is actually for?


After all, funerals are really about the people left behind and what would support them to process the grief and in practically organizing a funeral.


I shared my experience organizing funerals for friends and family, the results of my research from my connections in the Funeral industry, funeral directors, funeral plan companies and crematoriums.




Funeral Costs


We talked about the rising cost of funerals, ways to save for these, and how to save money when planning for them.



Sue had heard about pre-paid funeral plans and thought this was the only way forward. I explained that there are other options for organising and paying for funerals and that pre-paid funeral plans don't always cover the cost of everything for the funeral when the time comes.


(5 things you need to know about Pre- Paid Funeral Plans- coming soon!)


Health care and Funerals


Being a Natural Health Practitioner, health is very important to Sue.


She wanted an environmentally friendly-based funeral, both in terms of the funeral and also in the after-death care of her body which she spent years lovingly taking care of, both inside and out.


Sue was unaware of the embalming procedure which is routinely offered to grieving families. It is often presented as a “ Hygienic Treatment'' or in some cases (wrongly!) told that it is a legal requirement, and in fact, it is not.


Read what is Embalming?


It is also of extra cost to the grieving families, who are emotionally vulnerable and really not in the best place to be making financial decisions.


At the end of our hour together - the verdict


By the end of the hour, Sue and her husband had a complete 360 turn around and talked about the celebration side of life and funerals, and realising what the options and choices actually are, which were completely different from what they thought was on offer!


She was glad to have had her Empower Hour and really benefited from meeting for the end of life planning support


At the end of the hour, Sue was shining and full of enthusiasm and relief and ready to start talking to their sons about this and following through on the research links I shared with them on Funerals.


In her own words


“Thank you so much Mala, it was such a valuable hour. I am comforted by the fact that there are so many lovely choices outside of the traditional/mainstream approach and have a much clearer idea of what I want now (and what I definitely don't want).


Once again, many thanks, your hour was sooo informative. You really are offering an invaluable service.”

Sue Bryant

Natural Health Practitioner




If you would like to meet with me for your Empower Hour tailored to you and your life, and get clear on the choices you have and what is needed then book your free call with me


What does an Empower Hour cover?


An Empower Hour covers all aspects of end-of-life planning support. It could be for an overall and personalized plan for your next steps. Or it could be to meet to talk about individual aspects such as:


  • How to talk to a loved one about end of life matters


  • Funeral preparation and planning


  • Lasting power of attorney -explanations and considerations around quality of life and end of life decisions, who to choose as your Attorneys.


  • End of life decisions and choices


  • How to support a parent or loved one who is in their last weeks of life


  • Will preparation and decisions involved such as choosing your Executor, or Guardian for your children, what needs to go in a Will and why would I need one?


  • Sorting your paperwororganized leaving it organised for others to find.


Read others' experiences of receiving end-of-life planning support.


Join my private Facebook group - No Regrets where I share valuable content on all aspects of end-of-life planning, top tips, and plus we're a lovely worldwide community supporting each other.


Book an Empower Hour with me, like Sue did to get clear about your choices in end of life planning support




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