Options for funeral and burials

Most people wake up each day and make a few key decisions so the day goes smoothly. ey usually think… What will I accomplish today? What will I wear or eat today? Typically, the average person also has various goals they want to accomplish … getting a good job, buying a house, creating a family, staying healthy and saving money for retirement.

Rarely do you nd a person with a written goal of intentionally seeking out their nal resting place and outlining their obituary or Celebration of Life ceremony. It is a rare individual who does the hard work of soul-searching their thoughts and beliefs about their own mortality. Most of us don’t want to think about that because it’s too sad. But as Benjamin Franklin said, “…in this world noth-

LIVING & AGING WELL ing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Most end-of-life caregivers will tell you the best gift you can give yourself and your family is the gift of pre-planning. If nances are tight, at a minimum, make some decisions so your family and friends will know your wishes. ere is a wonderful guide called “Five Wishes” that serves as a legal document for end-of-life decisions. Most hospices, funeral homes and cemeteries have some version of the types of questions outlined in the “Five Wishes” document and you can nd it online, too.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com e last wish of the “Five Wishes” discusses “What I want my loved ones to know.” is section addresses the emotional realm, as well as physical placement of one’s body after passing. Some key decisions include … How do I want to be remembered? Do I want to be buried or cremated?

Do I want to be near relatives? Do I want to be placed somewhere close to my family so it’s convenient for them to visit? Do I want my ashes to be placed at sea or scattered out of an airplane or in a cemetery? Do I want a permanent monument engraved?

Determining key end-of-life decisions ahead of time will set you free from worry, provide for a smooth transition, and be a gift of peace of mind for your family and friends.

At the Aug. 3, 2023 Seniors’ Council of Douglas County meeting, our host

CHRISTY STEADMAN Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com us to the point where we do not take any step at all. A comfort zone surrounded by a neutral zone creates a do-nothing zone. And as it has been said before, if we aren’t moving forward, we are more than likely moving backward. Zig Ziglar said it this way, “People who never take step one, can never possibly take step two.” publication of

How about you, are there a rst step that you need to take? Is there a personal or professional goal or dream that you have had on your heart for a while? If so, have you asked yourself what is holding you back? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we can break free from our comfort zone, leave the neutral zone behind, and commit to never entering that comfort zone again, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

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ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com from Seven Stones Cemetery and Botanic Gardens, Becky Holm, will discuss pre-planning, the di erent cemetery options available in Colorado and the beautiful and serene environment at Seven Stones. e meeting is scheduled outdoors from 10-11:30 a.m. at Seven Stones, located at 9635 N. Rampart Range Road in LIttleton. e Seniors’ Council of Douglas County serves to advocate for and engage older adults. Meetings are free and open to the public. Our signature daylong educational event, Vintage and Vibrant, is ursday, Sept. 28 at the Parker Arts, Culture, and Events Center (PACE) in Parker. For upto-date information about Seniors’ Council visit Facebook and our website www.douglas.co.us.

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