Living Eulogies & Advanced Planning – A Gift for the Future

We spend our lives making memories, telling stories, and building connections with the people who matter most to us. Yet, when the time comes to say goodbye, so much of what we are can be left unsaid or remembered only in fragments. That is why more and more people are choosing to plan their own farewell and even write their own eulogy while they are still here to guide it.

A living eulogy is exactly what it sounds like – your story, told in your own words or shaped with your input, shared while you are still here to hear it. It can be read at a celebration of life, a memorial, or even shared privately with family and friends before you pass away. It is an opportunity to reflect on the life you have lived, the values you hold dear, the moments that shaped you, and the legacy you wish to leave behind.

Advanced planning takes this a step further. By designing your own ceremony in advance, you ensure it reflects your personality, beliefs, and wishes exactly as you want. Whether you want a light-hearted gathering filled with music and laughter, a reflective and spiritual service, or something entirely unique, you get to set the tone. It also means those you leave behind can focus on remembering you rather than worrying about making the ‘right’ choices.

Many people find that preparing their farewell is not morbid but deeply comforting. It is a chance to tell your story your way, choose your music and readings, and decide who you would like to speak. It can even open up heartfelt conversations with loved ones about life, death, and what really matters.

When you take the time to capture your life’s journey and the essence of who you are, you give your family a priceless gift: clarity, comfort, and a ceremony that truly feels like you. It can also help ease some of the emotional weight they might otherwise carry in those first difficult days after your passing.

This isn’t about being in control for the sake of it. It’s about giving the people you care for a lasting, beautiful goodbye that feels right for them, and for you.

I work with individuals and families to create living eulogies and fully planned ceremonies that reflect the true personality of the person at their heart. Once written, your plan can be stored safely with your will, ensuring your wishes are easily found and honoured when the time comes. Together, we can create something meaningful, heartfelt, and uniquely yours — a gift for the future.