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We spend our entire lives making choices in accordance with our values.
Don’t let your end‑of‑life plan be inconsistent with your values.
Did you know that what happens to your body after your death is likely to have carbon footprint larger than that of a person in Nepal has during their entire life? The carbon footprint to manufacture and transport a steel casket is between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of CO2 depending on where the casket is made. The carbon footprint for a 3 hour cremation is between 350 and 600 lbs of CO2. The carbon footprint of a person living in Nepal for 70 years is less than 175 lbs of CO2.
Pledge today to include a casket or cremation urn made by the Northwoods Casket Co. part of your end-of-life plan and we'll add 100 trees to our next tree-planting on public lands in Wisconsin. It is as simple as meeting with your local funeral director to prearrange your funeral and include a Northwoods casket or cremation urn.
How to Know Your Values:
A Brief Guide
Understanding your values is essential for making decisions, setting goals, and living a fulfilling life. Here’s a brief guide to help you identify and clarify your core values:
- Reflect on Meaningful Experiences: Think about times in your life when you felt truly happy, proud, or fulfilled. What was happening? Who were you with? What values were you honoring in those moments?
- Identify Your Passions: Consider what activities, causes, or interests you are most passionate about. What draws you to these things? The underlying reasons often reflect your core values.
- Consider Your Role Models: Think about people you admire and respect. What qualities do they embody? The attributes you admire in others can give you insight into your own values.
- Examine Your Beliefs: Reflect on your beliefs about what is important in life. What principles do you hold dear? What do you stand up for or against
- Notice Your Emotions: Pay attention to your emotional responses in various situations. Strong feelings of joy, anger, or sadness can indicate when your values are being honored or violated.
- Write a Personal Mission Statement: Summarize your reflections in a statement that captures what you stand for and what you want to achieve in life. This can help you stay focused on your values.
- Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends, family members, or mentors for their perspectives on what they see as your core values. Sometimes others can see things in us that we might overlook.
- Prioritize and Refine: List your values and prioritize them. Which ones are non-negotiable? Which ones are most important in your daily life and long-term goals?
By taking the time to explore and articulate your values, you can align your actions and decisions with what truly matters to you, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.
How to Explore your Options for Funeral Planning
Planning a funeral involves making important decisions during an emotionally challenging time. By exploring these options and planning your own funeral, you save your family and friends from the chore and difficulty in making these choices for you at a time of loss and grief. Here’s a brief guide to help you navigate the process:
- Understand Your Priorities: Reflect on what’s important to you and your family. Consider cultural, religious, and personal preferences. Think about the type of service (traditional, memorial, celebration of life), location, and any specific rituals or customs you want to include.
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing and able to spend on the funeral. This will help guide your decisions and ensure you stay within your financial limits.
- Research Funeral Homes: Look for reputable funeral homes in your area. Read reviews, ask for recommendations from friends and family, and compare services and prices. Most funeral homes offer packages that can simplify the planning process.
- Explore Burial and Cremation Options: Decide whether you prefer burial or cremation. Each option has various choices, such as different types of caskets or urns, and locations for the burial or scattering of ashes.
- Consider Pre-Planning: If you’re planning ahead for yourself, pre-planning can relieve your loved ones from making difficult decisions later. It also allows you to ensure your wishes are respected.
- Consult with a Funeral Director: Schedule a meeting with a funeral director to discuss your options. They can provide valuable guidance, help you understand your choices, and handle many of the logistical details.
- Personalize the Service: Think about how you can make the service unique and reflective of the deceased’s personality and life. Consider elements such as music, readings, eulogies, and memorabilia displays.
- Review Legal Requirements: Ensure you understand and comply with any legal requirements related to the funeral and burial or cremation. This may include obtaining death certificates and necessary permits.
- Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or grief counselors. Planning a funeral can be overwhelming, and having support can make the process easier to manage.
- Document Your Decisions: Keep a record of all your decisions and any pre-paid arrangements. Share this information with key family members to ensure everyone is aware of the plans.
By exploring your options carefully and considering what’s most important to you and your loved ones, you can create a meaningful and respectful farewell that honors the life and legacy of the deceased.
Pledge Today
Pledge today to make your end-of-life plan consistent with your values. You don't want to leave these things to chance. You don't want to make your loved ones guess what you might have wanted. Write your end-of-life plan so that your family can appreciate peace of mind and solace at a time of grieving and healing.
Have your local funeral director contact us for pricing and delivery plans. Or let us know by email.
