Take the Time to Talk

Goodbye is just as important as hello.
 

That’s why the Funeral Directors Association on NZ (FDANZ) Take the Time to Talk awareness week from April 9-13 aims to re-focus attention on the act of goodbye as the start of healthy grieving.

“Our vision is a New Zealand where meaningful funerals are valued as an essential part of healthy grieving,” says FDANZ President Gary Taylor.

“This year our campaign is highlighting to families that a meaningful funeral experience is the best way we can help those left behind to deal with grief and loss.

“Grief, which is our inbuilt biological reaction to the death of someone we love and care for, cannot be opted into or out of, it will confront us whether we like it or not.

"Social science tells us that the only way to effectively cope with grief and start to heal is through the process of a meaningful farewell. A goodbye.”

The Take the Time to Talk campaign encourages us to realise the value we put on hello, and to think about putting the same focus on goodbye; to allow our families the best opportunity to grieve well.

An FDANZ member funeral home can support your family to say goodbye.

A funeral doesn’t have to be a fuss, it doesn’t have to be big, it just needs to be a meaningful experience for those that matter.

The 123 funeral firms who have chosen to belong to FDANZ know the value of a meaningful funeral.

We were able to sit together and discuss Dad's wishes. It's good to have it planned and know the service will be how he wanted it.
Do your children, grandchildren and friends know the defining moments of your life? Do they know the day you laughed so hard you cried? Do they know your proudest achievement or your favourite teacher? Do they know who taught you to ride a bike, swim or drive a car?

The sharing of your life story isn’t something that has to be done in your absence, don’t leave it up to someone else to tell your story – do it now, when you can enjoy being a part of the conversation.

Take the Time to Talk is a campaign by the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ) to encourage people to spend time sharing their life stories and talking about final farewells.

We plan for so many events in our life, but New Zealanders don’t appear so keen to plan for their funeral. As Funeral Directors, every day we see the difficulties families have when trying to make the decisions which will best honour their loved one’s life. Why not ease your family's burden by letting them know your opinions ahead of time.

Do you have a favourite place you’d like friends and family to gather? Who would you like there and who do you think would best speak to your life story? Have you thought where you want to be buried, or have your ashes placed? What music or reading do you love and what flower or other symbol best represents your passion?

When the time comes, these conversations can be transformed into a meaningful gathering to remember and celebrate your life.

Sharing your opinions on your final farewell and the sharing of life stories combine to give your family the background and support to know the important information has been discussed in advance, so at the appropriate time they can focus on supporting each other and saying goodbye.

We encourage you to Take the Time to Talk about your life and your final wishes.

There are so many aspects to a funeral including decisions such as who will give the eulogy or say some final words, what you would like to wear for your final farewell, and what music you would like played. Each of these components plays an important role in the value of a funeral and shouldn’t necessarily be left up to others to decide. Do you really want your helpful Aunt Mabel to pick your final outfit, or super eager cousin Brian to deliver your life story?

Some people say they don’t want a fuss, and even suggest they don’t need a funeral. As Funeral Directors, we know that being able to gather, remember and celebrate a person’s life allows family and friends to say goodbye in the most meaningful way. Creating a funeral event allows them to begin the journey of saying goodbye.

Families are keen to do the best to honour their loved one, but differing opinions within families can really add to tension at an already difficult time. Families that have had these Take the Time to Talk conversations ahead of time have a much easier path planning the funeral.

By sharing your wishes ahead of time your family don't need to worry about if they are getting things right for you - they can focus on supporting each other at this difficult time.