Issue 20.14
An article recently published in the USA Today by Maria Puente caught my attention. Entitled “Self-penned Obituaries Born in Era of Control,” this feature focuses on the growing DIY trend of writing your own obituary prior to your death. The article mentions that many “selfie” obituaries are going viral, and typing “self obituary” on You Tube will yield about 10,000 results. As a funeral director, I often encounter people who choose to pen their own final statements.
The growing trend of the selfie obituary is partially credited to the baby boomer generation. Boomers tend to be take-charge individuals and want to ensure that their obituaries are printed correctly. They appreciate the old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Selfie obituaries are also a result of that fact that society has recently deemed it more acceptable to talk about death. Death is no longer considered an off-limits topic.
Recent marketing research suggests that baby boomers enjoy experiences that make them feel empowered. Boomers are social-savvy and tend to do on-line research before they make an important decision. These factors contribute to the tendency for boomers to pre-plan their own funerals. At the Cremation Center of Southern Utah, we welcome and encourage this type of foresight. Pre-planning is one of the most important things an individual can do for themselves and for their loved ones to ensure that the difficult decisions have already been made. We have free obituary guideline forms available in our office for those who want to write their own or for those that need to write an obituary for a loved one.
Whether or not you fall into the category of baby boomer, let us help you take care of the details of pre-planning your service. We are cremation experts and will guide you through the pre-planning process with clarity and compassion. Contact us today to obtain your copy of a free planning guide, obituary guideline, or to take a private tour of our beautiful, newly-remodeled facility. We are located just off Riverside Dr., at 1316 S. 400 E., Suite A5, in St. George, UT, (435) 986-9100, www.cremationcentersu.com.