Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist
The following checklist will help you create your personalized plan.
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We have created a pre-planning checklist for your funeral that makes it easy to remember all of the little things. This list will help you feel more secure knowing what steps need to be taken when someone has passed away.
What is a pre-planning funeral?
Pre-paid funeral plans can be a good way to spare your loved ones the stress and burden of making decisions while going through grief.
A pre-planned service will typically include an urn, casket or coffin; embalming if desired (optional); visitation with other family members before burial time; wake services at home for immediate survivors followed by transportation to cemetery/memorial site where it’s said goodbye one last time.
Should I preplan my own funeral?
Pre-planning your own burial is a great way to relieve loved ones of the burden. It also means that you can say goodbye in a final and personal manner, instead of leaving it up to them to decide how they want people to remember you.
How do I prepare for a funeral checklist?
It's important to know what preparations need to be made before it's too late, and how you can help your family during this difficult time. This funeral pre-planning checklist will guide you through everything from choosing a funeral home, arranging a casket or urn, and picking out service details such as flowers or music.
Ways to Plan Ahead: Pre-planning Checklist
General
- Gather personal information for your obituary.
- Choose a charity to direct donations to, if desired.
- Choose a funeral home.
- Make note of any special instructions you desire for your services and final disposition.
Funeral Service
- Choose burial or cremation.
- Select a casket or cremation container.
- Choose the location and type of service.
- Decide whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation.
- Choose floral arrangements.
- Select which photographs and memorabilia you’d like to display.
- Consider any customs, traditions, or religious rites that are important to you and your family.
- Choose the clothing you’d like to be dressed in.
- Select music and hymns, if desired.
- Select a style for your stationery and memorial register book.
- Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family.
- Brainstorm any additional ways you’d like to personalize the services or pay tribute to your accomplishments, hobbies, personality, and life story.
Participants
- Choose a clergy member or officiator to preside over the service.
- Select any musicians whose talents you’d like to employ.
- Select pallbearers.
- Choose friends or family members to perform the eulogy, read scripture, or prepare a speech.
Cemetery
- Choose a cemetery.
- Select a burial or cremation plot, or a mausoleum, if appropriate.
- Decide between above- and below-ground burial.
- Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription.
Planning funeral arrangements can be a difficult and emotional process. Here are funeral pre-planning tips to help prepare funeral services for someone who has passed away.
Information You'll Need:
Vital Statistics
- Your father’s name
- Your mother’s maiden name
- Your level of education
- Your social security number
Affiliations
- Fraternal organizations
- Service organizations
- Union memberships
- Any special recognitions you have
If you’re a veteran, you’ll also need to include:
- Military service
- Branch rank
- Date of enlistment
- Date of discharge
- Name(s) of war/conflict(s) toured
- Serial number
Remember...
There’s no need to make all the decisions right away. For personalized assistance in creating your plan, contact one of our experts to schedule a one-on-one meeting.