Pre-Planning Checklist

There’s a lot that goes into planning a funeral, but making those arrangements beforehand gives you time to consider all of your options and make sure that you’re covering all of the necessary details. The following checklist will help you to make sure you’ve thought of everything when you begin creating your personalized plan.

Information you'll need to assemble:

Vital Statistics

This includes your father’s name, your mother’s maiden name, your level of education, and your social security number.

Affiliations

This includes fraternal, service, or union membership, along with any special recognitions you might have

If you’re a veteran, you’ll also need to include:

Military service
Branch rank
Date of enlistment
Date of discharge
Name(s) of war/conflict(s) toured
Serial number

Ways in which you can 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 special instructions you desire for your services and final disposition

Funeral Service

Choose burial or cremation
Select a casket or cremation container
Choose the location and type of service
Decide whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation
Choose a floral arrangement
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
Select a style for your stationery and memorial register book
Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family
Brainstorm any additional ways you’d like to personalize the services or pay tribute to your accomplishments, hobbies, personality, and life story.

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

Cemetery

Choose a cemetery
Select a burial or cremation plot, or a mausoleum, if appropriate
Decide between above- and below-ground burial
Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription

Remember that there’s no need to make all of the decisions right away, and that the purpose of pre-planning is to allow yourself to take the time you need when considering your options and making the choices that are right for you. For personalized assistance in creating your plan, consult one of our experts by contacting us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.