Rogan's Memorials

At some time in our life, most of us will plan or assist in making arrangements for a loved one's funeral. With our emotions playing a significant role, how accurate will our plans be for them? While making those arrangements, how many times will we think "I wish they had already taken care of this - why didn’t they?" Dick and I firmly believe that it's not so much the fear of dying, as it is the fear of not knowing where to start the preplanning process. Preplanning = peace of mind for you and the ones you love. Funeral directors are there to offer help and guidance during one of life’s most difficult times.

• Most funeral homes have websites to review for information and prices
• Make your last wishes known - write them down
• Talk with someone who has already preplanned
• Search our database for preferred vendors

Why You Need to Plan Ahead:

With so many ways to celebrate your life, preplanning becomes especially important. It’s all about your personal preferences, which may, in fact, be very different from the preferences of your loved ones. How will your loved ones know, once you are gone, what you would have chosen? You simply have to let them know. Take responsibility of your life. Don't expect your children, your parents, your long-lost cousin to make these decisions. These are just a few of the many questions that are asked when planning a funeral.

• Do you want a full burial or cremation?
• Do you want a church service and/or a graveside service?
• Who would you like to speak at your service?
• Is there a special organization you would like your family and friends
  to contribute to using your name?
• Who will be notifying family & friends?
• Do you want your picture attached to your obituary? Which picture would you use?

According to a study done by Harris Interactive for National Funeral Directors Association, 57% of all respondents have preplanned/intend to preplan. 59% of all respondents had a preference about what they wanted at their funeral, as shown by the responses to the following question: Which personal items, if any, would you like to include in your funeral?

Friends relating personal stories......50%
Some of your favorite music......47%
A variety of personal photos.....42%
Personal mementos displayed around the casket....29%
A video of various aspects of your life...10%
Other personal items not mentioned....14%
None....12%
Not Sure....16%

This shows that most people do have an idea of what they would like to have at their funeral. But the bottom line is, if they don't write it down or share it with someone, more than likely it will stay a statistic.

Click here see more on this study

We only do this once in our life. This is not like buying a car, where we accumulate questions throughout the years to make better choices.

Funeral home directors are professionals and they encourage all questions. Do your research, look online, and find someone you are comfortable talking with. Call and ask the funeral home director if he would come to your home - in Maine that is not an unusual request. On the initial visit you will get to know the funeral home director. He will ask questions and discuss things with you, which will help you think about certain avenues. If anything feels uncomfortable to you, you have the right to tell him. The initial visit does not cost anything.

We are in the process of building a comprehensive end-of-life database. If you know of a funeral home that has been helpful to you in the past and you would like others to know about them please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with their name and email address so we can contact them to be in our database.
Check back soon or e-mail us for details.