How to Start the Conversation

According to a national survey by the Conversation Project, a public engagement campaign to promote end-of-life discussions, more than 90 percent of people think it's important to talk about loved ones' wishes for end-of-life care, but fewer than 30 percent have actually done it. Having an honest conversation with your loved ones about their final wishes will help relieve stress, and bring understanding.

Conversation starters:

You can use stories in the news such as natural disasters to bring up what your wishes are

Use a movie like Bucklist or Fault in Our Stars

Find family heirlooms that you would like to keep in your family

When you are starting the conversation, there are a few things that you need to know for when you meet with a funeral director. These include the full name of your loved ones, their birthday, where they were born, and their parents full name. It is important to know your loved ones’ social security number, their highest level of education, and what they would best describe their one career. The last fact that you will need to know is the marital status and name of their spouse. If they were in the military, you would need to bring in their discharge paperwork. All of that information is used for a death certificate.

Questions to consider:

Who is the “legal next of kin” or designated person that will make the final arrangements? ORS 97.130 is very clear who has the “Right to control final disposition” and it may be very different from what you think or who you listed in your will.

Do you know your options for how to celebrate the life of your loved one?

Do you know what they want to do for their final resting place?

If you would like more information, you can call us at 1-541-265-2751, visit our website batemanpacificview.com, or follow us on Facebook at Bateman Funeral Home.

From our family to yours,

Bateman Funeral Home