Preplanning Checklist
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming to your surviving family and friends, but pre-planning your funeral service can help them better deal with the stress of losing someone.
Choose the Type of Service You Want
There’s a lot to consider when planning a service. Because some people struggling with making final decisions for their loved ones, preplanning your service helps your family during a difficult time and ensures your wishes are being honored.
- Choose what funeral home you would like to handle your service.
- Decide what type of service you want (traditional burial with a casket, cremations, body donation, etc.).
- If you choose to be buried, decide on a cemetery, purchase your plot, buy a headstone, etc.
- Think of where you may want your service held (church, funeral home, sentimental building, park).
- Determine who will be part of your service and designate casket/urn bearers, readers, musician or officiant.
- Decide if you want flowers. If not, maybe there is somewhere you’d like memorials to be directed in your name.
- Select music and readings that are meaningful to you.
- Start writing an obituary or jot down some information you would like included.
Choose Who You Want to be in Charge
Your family and friends want to take part in fulfilling your final wishes, they just need some instructions on what needs to be done.
- Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will.
- Give a trusted person a list of your important account information for those who need to contacted following your death (bank accounts, life insurance policies, investments, retirement plans, etc).
Choose To Pay In Advance
Making decisions ahead of time can benefit your loved ones financially. If possible, you may choose to pay for some final expenses ahead of time, such as:
- Cemetery plot
- Headstone or grave marker
- Funeral arrangements including casket or urn, flowers, transportation, luncheons and other specialized services
