Pre-Planning Checklist
Death Occurs at Home
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.
Ways to Plan Ahead:
General
- Gather personal information for your obituary.
- Choose a charity to direct donations to, if desired.
- Choose a funeral home.
- Make note of any instructions for your services and final disposition.
Funeral Service
- Choose burial or cremation.
- Select a casket or cremation container.
- Choose locations and types of services.
- 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.
- Choose a theme for decorations and stationery at your services.
- Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family.
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.
Final Disposition
- Choose a cemetery.
- Select a burial plot or mausoleum.
- Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription.
- Decide who will keep your urn.
- Decide who will scatter your ashes and where.
Information You'll Need
Personal Information
Personal Information
- 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
Military Service Information
- Military service
- Branch rank
- Date of enlistment
- Date of discharge
- Name(s) of war/conflict(s) toured
- Serial number
Death Occurs at Home
Key Benefits
Peace of mind:
Taking the time to think about your arrangements in advance can provide reassurance and alleviate stress for your loved ones during a difficult time. It can also help ensure that your final wishes will be honored and respected since your preferences will be clearly defined ahead of time. End of life and the immediate days following a death can be stressful and emotional times regardless of the level of planning a person does. Prioritizing your own planning process and documenting your wishes can ease some of this uncertainty.
Personalization:
Having the ability to choose the type of service you prefer, the musical selections, any special readings or prayers, and any other elements of your funeral or memorial service is very important to some people. By making these decisions in advance, you can personalize the ceremony to reflect your life, beliefs, and values. Advance planning also allows you the time to research any options that are available and understand the different costs associated with each choice.
Financial preparation:
Funeral costs can be significant and many families are unprepared for the cost, especially when the death is unexpected or sudden. It is not uncommon for families to overspend when planning a funeral and making financial decisions during an emotional time. Planning ahead and making selections in advance allows you to compare prices and make decisions based on your budget and with a clear head.
Ease for Loved Ones:
By taking the time to preplan your end-of-life arrangements, you not only alleviate the emotional and financial burden on your loved ones but also provide them with the comfort of knowing they are fulfilling your wishes. This thoughtful act allows you to personalize your funeral or memorial service according to your preferences, ensuring that it reflects your life, beliefs, and values. Additionally, preplanning can help prevent overspending on funeral costs by allowing you to make informed decisions based on your budget.
Avoid Overspending:
Planning ahead for your funeral or memorial service helps you avoid overspending by allowing you to compare prices and make decisions based on your budget. With preplanning, you can research different options and understand the costs associated with each choice, ensuring that you stay within your financial means. Additionally, you have the opportunity to pre-fund some of your funeral expenses, whether through a preneed funeral policy, advance arrangements with a funeral home, or setting up a savings account or life insurance policy.
Planning ahead can make a world of difference for both your own peace of mind and that of your family. Having arrangements and finances in place means your loved ones will not have to worry about making decisions and adding additional stress after you die. They will be able to focus on their grief and healing while remembering you and celebrating your life.
