op/ed: Normalizing death talk – Death ain’t cheap

By Jay Cairns

 

(Edmonton) – I’m writing this article to educate, help and hopefully make individuals and families aware of something inevitable, the thing people fear most and want to talk about the least. But it doesn’t have to be awkward and doesn’t have to be taboo. In the same way a person would save up for a vacation, we should be making the effort and financial plan to be able to cover the expenses of burial and a headstone. If you think life is expensive, it’s time to start planning, because death ain’t cheap. 

 

Put simply – there are two certainties in life, death and taxes. With proper financial planning, you can put policies in place to cover burial expenses (and headstone erection). 

 

Burial rights are critical in Jewish tradition, historically communities would prioritize two things when looking to establish themselves-land for a synagogue and land for burial. The Chevrah Kaddish is a dedicated group of volunteers that handles all preparations from the time they are notified by the family until burial and it is important to understand the role of the Chevra Kaddish and our responsibility as individuals who are part of a community to properly prepare mentally, emotionally, and financially. 

 

We are blessed to have an organization like the Chevra of Edmonton who takes the logistics of burial out of a family’s hands from the moment they are notified, so that the family can focus on grieving and taking care of one another at one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. This is an incredible tradition and service that our community offers… but there is a cost to this service and we as a community need to understand and properly prepare for death, as an inevitable expense of life. 

 

There are mechanisms such as life insurance that can help families pay for funeral services and headstone expenses. If premiums get expensive, children can take over the payment of the policies (if it makes sense to do so), one example of planning ahead and being proactive. Talk to a financial advisor and avoid making an uncomfortable conversation even worse with practical ramifications that are not in line with what should be the last expression of respect, honour, and kindness that a family and community can do for a loved one. It can happen very quickly, unexpectedly, and can be emotionally overwhelming; but the financial side of it doesn’t have to be.