Preplanning Checklist

Funeral Preplanning Checklist

Planning ahead for funeral or cremation arrangements is one of the most thoughtful steps you can take for your loved ones. When your wishes are documented in advance, your family and friends have a clearer path to follow during an emotional and overwhelming time.

Preplanning your funeral service can help ease the burden on those you leave behind, reduce uncertainty, and help ensure your final wishes are honored. Whether you are considering burial, cremation, a traditional funeral, a memorial service, or a simpler arrangement, this checklist can help you begin making important decisions with confidence.



Choose the Type of Service You Want

Preplanning 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 about making those hard choices.

• Choose what funeral home and director you would like to use to handle your service.
• Decide what type of service you want (traditional, cremation, donation, etc.).
• If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you want to be buried.
• Meet with the funeral director and look at your options for caskets and urns.
• If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
• Look at options for a location to hold your service (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 service? 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.
• Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary.
  

Choose the Type of Service You Want

One of the most important parts of funeral preplanning is deciding what type of service feels right for you. Some families prefer a traditional funeral with visitation, followed by burial or cremation, while others choose simple cremation, donation, a memorial service, or a more private gathering.

As you begin planning, consider the following:



• Choose the funeral home you would like to handle your service.
• Decide what type of final disposition you want, such as traditional casketed burial in a grave or mausoleum, or cremation with inurnment in a grave or columbarium, scattering, or another arrangement. 
• Meet with the funeral director to review your options for types of services, veteran benefits, caskets, urns, memorial items, and service details.
• Decide if you would like to have viewing for family and friends.
• Choose where you would like the service to be held, such as the funeral home, a religious facility, a cemetery, a meaningful location, or another appropriate setting.
• Decide whether you would like flowers and decide if you would prefer to offer the alternative option of donations to a specific charity or a charity of the family’s choice.
• Choose who you would like to participate in your service, including pallbearers, an officiant, readers, musicians, or other family members and friends.
• Select songs, readings, prayers, poems, or personal touches you would like included. Decide if you would like to have a picture slideshow played at your service.
• Write an obituary or make notes for the funeral director about the information you would like included in your obituary. 
• Select a cemetery or burial site if appropriate. 

Burial, Cremation, And Memorial Options

Preplanning gives you time to think through your preferences before your family has to make decisions on your behalf. Your choice between burial and cremation may be guided by personal wishes, religious beliefs, family traditions, budget, or cemetery arrangements.

Casket interment, or burial may include decisions about a cemetery space, casket, outer burial container, marker, flowers, transportation, and the type of service you would like. Cremation may include choices such as a full funeral service before cremation, a memorial service before or after cremation, simple cremation, placement of cremated remains, scattering, or permanent memorialization through inurnment in a cemetery space or columbarium.

A funeral director can explain the options available and help you understand how each choice may affect the overall arrangement.

Choose Who You Want To Be In Charge

Your family and friends may want to honor your final wishes, but they need clear instructions in order to do so. Choosing the right person or people to help carry out your plans can reduce confusion and help your loved ones feel more confident when decisions need to be made.

Consider the following steps:



• Designate the person you wish to be in charge of your final arrangements if not the legal next of kin. 
• Give the person in charge, next of kin, executor, or chosen friend a copy of your funeral preplanning information. 
• Make sure the person in charge knows your final wishes for your desired service, burial, cremation, obituary, flowers, donations, and other details.
• Designate the appropriate person to make decisions if you are unable to communicate your wishes.
• Make sure someone you trust knows where to find your will and important estate documents.
• Share a list of important account information that may need to be handled after your death.
• Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services, subscriptions, and other ongoing accounts when appropriate.

Gather Important Documents and Information

Having important information organized ahead of time can make the funeral planning process much easier for your family. It can also help the funeral home complete necessary paperwork and coordinate details more efficiently.

Helpful information to gather may include:



• Full legal name
• Date and place of birth
• Social Security number
• Parents’ names, including mother’s maiden name
• Level of formal education and primary occupation
• Marital status
• Spouse’s name, including maiden name if applicable
• Veteran status and military discharge papers, or DD214, if applicable
• Cemetery deed or burial plot information, if applicable
• Life insurance or pre-need policy information
• Preferred funeral home
• Burial, cremation, or donation preferences
• Obituary information
• Preferred service details, including music, readings, flowers, donations, and participants

Consider Paying In Advance

Making funeral decisions in advance can also help your loved ones financially. If you are able to prepay for certain expenses or set aside funds for future arrangements, it may reduce the financial burden on your family.

When possible, you may want to plan for or prepay expenses such as:

• Funeral service arrangements
• Casket, outer container, urn, or memorial items
• Certified death certificates
• Cremation services, if selected
• Embalming
• Flowers
• Honoraria
• Burial plot or cemetery property
• Specialized services or personal requests



A funeral director can help explain available options, provide information about costs, and help you understand what may be paid in advance.

Understanding Funeral and Cremation Costs

Funeral and cremation costs can vary depending on the type of service selected, merchandise choices, cemetery or crematory fees, transportation, preparation, flowers, obituary notices, and other personal details.

A funeral home can provide clear information about available services and pricing so families understand their options before making final decisions. Reviewing these costs in advance can help you make informed choices and document your preferences for your loved ones.

Some of the common cost categories may include:



• Basic professional services of the funeral home and staff
• Transportation of your loved one
• Funeral, memorial, visitation, or graveside service arrangements
• Casket, urn, alternative container, or outer container
• Preparation and care of your loved one
• Cemetery or crematory fees
• Obituary notices, flowers, clergy honoraria, death certificates, or other third-party costs

Other cost may be incurred due to personal service choices.

Talk With a Funeral Director

You do not have to make these decisions alone. A funeral director can walk you through your options, answer questions, explain costs, and help you document your wishes clearly.

Preplanning is not only about choosing funeral details. It is about giving your loved ones guidance, comfort, and direction when they need it most.

If you are ready to begin planning ahead, contact our funeral home to speak with a funeral director or begin the process by completing our online preplanning form.