Preplanning Checklist

Reduce Stress for Your Family with Funeral Preplanning

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 deal with the stress of losing someone.

Choose the Type of Service You Want

Pre-planning your funeral service can not only ease the burden on your loved ones, but helps ensure your final wishes are honored. While many families struggle with making those final decisions after losing someone, your family won’t have to worry about those hard choices.

A few things to consider before scheduling arrangements…

Choose a funeral home to use to handle your service.
Decide the type of service you want (traditional, cremation, etc.).
If you choose to be buried, decide on a cemetery.
Consider a location to hold your service (funeral home, church, etc.)If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
Do you want flowers, or would you rather donations be given to a particular charity? What type of flowers do you want? Do you want flowers, or would you rather donations be given to a particular charity or a charity of one’s choice?
Consider what music, scripture, or other readings you would like at your service. Choose which songs you would like played at your service.
Who will be a part of your service? (pallbearers, readers, eulogists, etc.)
Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary.

Choose Who You Want to be in Charge

The people who know and care about you will want to take part in fulfilling your final wishes. You need only to provide them with instructions, important financial details, and relax. You’re in good hands.

Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will.
To ensure a painless estate settlement, it is our recommendation that your assets are placed into a trust and a trusted family member or friend be named the trustee.
If you do not wish for your next of kin (usually spouse or children) to be making decisions regarding your funeral or financial future, designate someone for power of attorney. To begin learning more about this, visit our Power of Attorney page.
Be sure your representative/trustee has a list of important account information and telephone numbers for:

○ Bank Accounts

○ Retirement Plans

○ Insurance Policies

○ Investments

○ Safe Deposit Boxes

○ Properties

Remind your personal representative that the Social Security Administration will need to

be called and, if you're receiving benefits such as those from the Veteran's Administration, they should be contacted as well.

Give a family member or trusted friend a list of important account information that will need to be addressed following your death.
Ensure that someone knows your final wishes for your desired service.
Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services and subscriptions.
Make arrangements for pets to find a new home.

Choose To Pay In Advance

Making decisions about your funeral service in advance can benefit you and your survivors financially. If feasible, it is recommended to pay for all funeral expenses in advance, as this locks in the current price of services and frees your family of financial burden. When possible, prepay for: