The funeral home director in Cleveland changed how I think about money

I went to a funeral last month in Cleveland for my aunt who passed away at 78. After the service I talked with the funeral home director for about 10 minutes while waiting for my ride. He told me that families fight over money more than anything else when planning services. He said he's seen siblings stop talking to each other over a $500 casket upgrade. It really hit me that we spend so much time worried about saving for retirement or buying stuff but we never talk about how money tears people apart after we're gone. I asked him what he wished people did differently and he said just talk about it with your family before you're in a room with a body. Makes me wonder if anyone here has actually had that conversation with their parents or siblings and how did it go?

2 comments

2 Comments

harper_wright7h ago

my friend told me her dad's second wife literally changed the funeral plans the day before the service because she wanted a different flower arrangement and it started this whole thing between her and her stepmom that still isn't resolved like three years later. i guess the director was right its crazy how quick stuff like that gets messy.

clairer797h agoMost Upvoted

Oh @harper_wright, sounds like her stepmom mistook the funeral for a wedding reception with those flower demands!