Ask Your Parents These Questions Before They Pass

Although conversations about death are never easy, there are times when these conversations need to take place. One of these times is with your parents. As an adult, you want to make sure that their final wishes are handled correctly when they pass Having this conversation now will help you know exactly what those last wishes are. Not only that, but this conversation gives you an opportunity to ask questions about their lives and learn more about them before they are gone. Providers of cremation services in Springfield, OR share more about what questions to ask during this conversation.

Medical Questions

It is important to know and understand your parent’s medical wishes as well as their current medical information. Questions you can ask to help learn this are:

• Do you have a DND (do-not-resuscitate order)?
• Who is your primary doctor?
• Do you have medical insurance? Who with?
• Do you want to be an organ donor?
• Are you currently taking any medications? What are they and what is the dosage?
• Do you have life insurance?

Final Arrangements

Knowing what your parent wishes for their final arrangements is extremely important as you will want to honor these requests. Make sure you fully and clearly understand what they want by asking things such as:

• Have you preplanned any arrangements?
• If being cremated, what would you like done with your ashes?
• What services would you like to have?
• Where would you like any services to be held?
• Do you have any specific requests for your services? Readings? Music? Etc.?
• Do you have any other final requests or wishes?

Personal Questions

During this conversation, it is a perfect time to ask questions about their past. Not only will this make the overall conversation a bit easier for them to get through, but they will also enjoy talking about their life. It will also give you a wonderful opportunity to learn more about them as people other than just your parent. Some great questions to get things going include:

What is your favorite memory from school?

• Who were your best friends?
• What were you like as a child?
• What were your parents like growing up?
• What hobbies did you have as a child?
• What are the biggest lessons you learned in life?
• Is there anything you still hope to accomplish?
• What are your thoughts on death and dying?
• What type of legacy do you wish to leave behind?
• What was your favorite class in high school?
• What is something you are most proud of?
• What would you tell your younger self?

Final Thoughts

While talking about death and cremation services in Springfield, OR. with your parents can be uncomfortable, know that it is important to do so. By having this conversation you can feel more confident that you are better equipped to handle everything once the time comes. Not only that but it gives you a chance to start a dialogue about what your parent’s life was like and provide them a chance to open up and really tell you about their past as well as what they feel about the future.