A Checklist to Pre-Planning Your Own Funeral

Pre-planning your own funeral has a lot of advantages. Not only are you able to save a lot of money. You also save your loved ones a big bulk of stress from all the organizing that will come with your future service.

There are a lot of things to consider when planning your funeral. To make it easier for you, we’ve gathered everything you need to include in your future funeral checklist.

 

 

 

Notifications

• Create a contact list including names, addresses and phone numbers of those who should be notified in a medical emergency or death.
• Contact details for Buchanan Funeral Service to care for you.
• Make notes of things you would like included in an obituary. Also, include where the obituary should appear.

Things to Consider

• Name of church
• Clergy to preside over service (name)
• Music? Vocal? Instrumental?
• Special musical selections?
• Would you like to have a visitation?
• Open casket? Closed casket?
• Funeral home preference?
• Obituary?
• Names of pallbearers
• Memorial contributions
• If veteran, flag on casket? Folded?
• Clothing
• Glasses
• Jewelry
• Location of cemetery property and deed
• Type of property: burial space/lawn crypt/mausoleum/niche

Service

• Do you prefer burial or cremation?
• Do you have a cemetery lot? What is the location?
• What type or color of casket or urn type do you prefer?
• Would you like a vault?
• What type of service–religious, military, non-denominational?
• Who would the pallbearers be?
• What type of music or scripture or readings do you like and what type of flowers or colors do you prefer?
• Are there any speakers you would like to include?
• Do you want to choose a charity, church or organization to receive memorial donations in lieu of flowers?

Arrangements

• Provide your executor a copy of your Will.
• Also provide a list of important bank account information, telephone numbers for insurance policies, retirement plans, investments, safe-deposit boxes, properties and law firms.
• Remind your executor to call the Social Security Administration and if you are receiving benefits, such as from the Veteran’s Administration, they should be contacted as well.
• Designate a power of attorney to ensure information can be accessed in the event of illness or death. Ensure a durable power of attorney for health care and a living will are in place in the event you are unable to do so.
• If you have a pet, think about making arrangements on who will take care of it or find it a new home.
• Designate a manager for any online accounts such as email, social media or otherwise with instructions to sustain, delete and/or close.

Financial Arrangements

• Pay for the cemetery plot, marker and services.
• Pay for funeral arrangements, transportation and clergy.

Some Personal Decisions

• I would like to have a traditional funeral service, followed by a burial.
• I would like to have a traditional funeral service, followed by cremation.
• I would like to have a traditional religious funeral service, followed by a burial.
• I would like to have a traditional religious funeral service, followed by cremation.
• My religious affiliation is:
• I would like to have only a graveside service, followed by the burial.
• I would like to have only a service at the crematory, followed by the cremation
• I would like to have a memorial service following the burial or cremation.
• I would like to have a funeral service in my own home.
• I would like to have a viewing before my funeral.
• I would like to have a wake before my funeral.
• I would like to have a visitation before my funeral.
• I would like to have a reception after my funeral.

 

 

• I would like to have a portion of the service honoring my military service.
• My military branch was:
• The post commander is:
• You can reach the commander at:
• I would like the funeral to be held at:
• The funeral director’s name is:
• The contact number for the funeral director is:
• I have/have not prearranged details for the casket with these people.
• I would like my final resting place to be:
• I have/have not prearranged details for the final resting place with these people.
• The contact number is:
• The person I would like to officiate the funeral is:
• My second choice would be:
• I would like these people to serve as pallbearers:
• I would like the following people to deliver eulogies:
• I would like the following people to be involved by delivering prayers, poems or other readings:
• I would like these verses or readings to be delivered:
• I would like these pieces of music to be played or sung: