Our May Newsletter: If Not You, Who?
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry Funeral Homes
Now in our 100th year of service.
"If Not Now, Then When?" - Hillel the Elder? ? ?
We live in an organization-centric society. We organize weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and retirement plans meticulously. So, why is it that more of us don't prioritize making funeral arrangements ahead of time? The common reasons people give for not doing so seem reasonable at first glance, but upon closer examination, there are even more compelling reasons to preplan.
Some of the common objections are: ?
"I'm way too busy to start thinking about my funeral."
We understand. Funeral plans might not be at the forefront of your agenda. However, you can establish the basics in a short amount of time.
As busy as you may be, think about the stress of making funeral arrangements for someone who hasn't communicated their wishes, particularly about cremation or earth burial. Whether it's an anticipated death or not, your family is already grappling with loss. Taking the decision-making worries regarding funeral plans off their shoulders is the responsible thing to do.? ?
"I don't have that kind of money now."
You can plan today and choose to pay later. Some?people come to us wanting to outline their end-of-life wishes in advance without prepaying, and that's perfectly acceptable. However, one significant reason to prepay is to lock in pricing. Historically, funeral costs increase by about 5% each year. For instance, consider a funeral that costs $10,000 today. Ten years from now, that same funeral could cost you $16,289?so by pre-paying at today's cost, you'd be saving money and sheltered from inflation increases.??
You may not be aware that when?preplanning, you can make and pay for arrangements today and secure those prices until they are needed.
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"It's morbid to think about."
Death is a part of life. Avoiding it doesn’t change the inevitable. Discussing death does not make us morbid. In fact, it shows that you are considerate and aware of the challenges your family will face once you're gone—or the challenges you will face when your own loved one is gone.
Consider shifting from the thought of "I'm going to die" to "This is how I want to be remembered". Planning a funeral in advance not only grants you peace of mind but relieves a burden for your family.
?"Someone else will do it for me."
Within 24 hours after a?death, there are over 70 details that need to be tended to. Who will be responsible for handling these tough decisions??
Knowing that plans are in place alleviates a great deal of stress for loved ones who are already grappling with your passing.?
In the end, preplanning your funeral is like giving your loved ones a helpful guide when the day comes. It's a thoughtful way to make sure your wishes are known and to make things easier for your family and friends. Overall, preplanning offers financial, logistical, and emotional advantages, making it a wise and compassionate decision for individuals and their loved ones. ?
How many people pre-plan their funeral?
According to The Funeral Service Association of Canada it’s estimated that only about 30% of Canadians pre-plan their funerals.? ?
What's next??
?Turn to the Professionals
One of our knowledgeable preplanning counselors will be pleased to provide you with information about the wide range of funeral planning options available, including recording your wishes with us at no cost.?
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Contact us for a no-obligation free consultation. If Hulse, Playfair, and McGarry can assist you, we’d be honoured.
Visit Our Online Preplanning Tool?
Our online preneed planning tool makes preplanning a funeral easier. Your own personal login allows you to return to your plan and make changes at any time.
This month marks a significant milestone in our history. With great pride and gratitude, we celebrate our 100th-year.?
Our story begins in 1924 when Charles and Percy Hulse formed their partnership, Hulse Brothers. In 1933, Charlie Hulse invited Keith Playfair to join him as a partner. The two quite opposite personalities complimented one another and within a few years, the firm's name changed from Hulse Brothers to Hulse & Playfair.?
In 1938-39, the new partnership made a bold move by building Ottawa's first funeral chapel at its McLeod Street location. The firm grew rapidly to become Ottawa's largest locally owned and operated funeral business.?
Today the funeral home is owned and operated by Sharon McGarry and Patrick McGarry.
As we reflect on the last century, we are filled with gratitude for the unwavering support and trust you have placed in us.?
In celebrating this remarkable milestone, we also?look ahead with excitement and commitment. Our dedication to serve this community with the respect, dignity and caring that underscore our history remains as strong as ever. We are committed to continuing our journey, serving you with the same passion and dedication that has defined us for the past century.
To the families we have served, our partners and our colleagues, as well as the community at large, we extend our heartfelt thanks. Without you, this milestone would not have been possible. ?
Thank you for 100 years.?
Our Senior Vice President, Tom Flood, was recently featured in the Ontario Funeral Service Association Volunteer Spotlight for his remarkable contributions to our community. We couldn’t agree more.
Our preplanning counselor, Anna Silverman , attended the 2024 Visionaries Breakfast for the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation held on March 27th.?
(L-R: Avalee Prehogan, Isabel Cantor, and Anna Silverman)
Via Ottawa Business Journal . Photo by Caroline Phillips .