Pre-Planning Checklist

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming to your family and friends, but pre-planning your funeral service can help them better deal with the stress of losing a loved one.

1. Choose the Type of Service You’d Like
Pre-planning your funeral service can not only ease the burden on your loved ones, but it helps ensure your final wishes are honored. While some families struggle with making those final decisions after losing someone, your family won’t have to worry with making those hard choices.

• Choose what funeral home and director you would like to use.
• Decide what type of service you’d like (traditional, cremation, donation, etc).
• If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you’d like to be buried.
• Meet with the funeral director and look at your options for caskets and/or urns.
• If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
• Look at options for a location to hold your service (funeral home, religious facility, sentimental building, graveside).
• What type of flowers would you like? Do you want flowers, or would you rather donations be given to a particular charity or a charity of one’s choice?
• Who will be a part of your service? You should decide on pallbearers and even ask them personally. You should also decide who you would like to officiate or participate in your service.
• Choose which songs you would like played at your service.
• Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary.

2. Choose Who You Want to be in Charge
Your family and friends want to take part in the process of fulfilling your final wishes, they only need instructions on what they need to do.

• Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will.
• Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important account information that will need to be contacted and handled following your death. Also, make sure someone knows your final wishes for your desired service.
• Designate someone to be your power of attorney.
• Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services and subscriptions.

3. Choose To Pay In Advance
Making decisions about your funeral service in advance can benefit you and your survivors financially. If possible, pay for all expenses in advance, freeing your family from that financial burden. When possible, prepay for:

• Cemetery services, burial plot
• All funeral arrangements including casket, urn, flowers, transportation and specialized services