Planning Ahead

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 be better prepared when the time comes.

Choose the Type of Service You Want

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 a funeral home you trust to take care of yourself and your family.
• Decide what type of service you want (casket burial, cremation, graveside ceremony, Celebration of Life, etc.).
• If you choose a ceremony followed by burial, decide where you want to be buried.
• Meet with the funeral director to consider all of the options, select appropriate merchandise, and begin to put together a plan.
• If you decide you want to be viewed, either publicly or privately, consider what you may want to wear.
• Look at options for a location to hold your ceremony (funeral home, religious facility, sentimental building, graveside).
• 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?
• Who will be a part of your ceremony? 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. Do you know anyone who may want to sing or play an instrument at your ceremony?
• Write your obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary.

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.
• In case of family disputes, it may be necessary to contact an attorney and follow through with appropriate legal actions to designate a particular person to handle your funeral arrangements.

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, pre pay for:

• Cemetery services such as opening and closing, burial plot, and headstone.
• All funeral arrangements including casket, urn, flowers, transportation and specialized services.