Tell relatives your funeral plans

Last month, my sister-in-law died. She was close enough for her death to be deeply upsetting, but not close enough for her brother or myself to be included in the funeral arrangements.

During the last few days of her life, her sons arrived.

On her death, as next of kin, they took over the funeral arrangements. The local funeral director was called and an "off the shelf package funeral" resulted.

The funeral at the crematorium became an impersonal, conveyor belt funeral with little family input.

As I am involved in the funeral business I found it very sad, because I know her final goodbye could have been so different.

It should have been a personal tribute to a lady who loved the countryside, people and life. But, in fact, it was partly her own fault - she did not make her wishes known before she died.

Should it be burial or cremation? Where should her final resting place be?

These and many more are questions that a family are faced with when they lose a loved one.

I would urge people to stop and think how their family will cope when faced with a funeral to arrange. Simply include your wishes in your will or make them known to your next of kin.

Lin Dalton, Ludlow