Free Seminars Help Families Plan For Funerals

Funeral planning experts will offer three free seminars Tuesday at the to help residents plan for funerals and after-life care.

The thirty-minute presentation Everything You Wanted to Know About Pre-Planning But Were Too Afraid to Ask will cover how to avoid emotional overspending, questions to ask when preparing a will or living will, how to avoid family disputes and the importance of identifying important documents, as well as funeral planning. The sessions also will provide guidance for those who live with a gay partner and want to ensure their decisions are legally binding.

"I've worked with both families who have pre-planned and those who haven't," said Jeanenne Keeley, family service counselor at in Berkley. "Those who didn't plan wonder: 'Did I make the right decision? Am I doing the right thing? Is this what they would have wanted?' "

Keeley, along with Debbie Kinglsey, another Roseland Park Cemetery family service counselor, will conduct the seminars, which will consist of a slideshow and question-and-answer period.

"We all know we're going to die, so why not plan for the inevitable," Keely asked.

Seminars will be held at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 248-541-1154.