Loading...

Pre-Planning Checklist

PRE-PLANNING FUNERAL CHECKLIST

The funeral process can be overwhelming and intimidating, but preparing in advance will allow you to decide on the specific items that are most important.

Planning a funeral service in advance allows you to design and specify the type of ceremony that will celebrate your life.

When it comes to funeral expenses, a family's budget can be their biggest burden. But by comparing prices for services and products ahead of time you help prevent this from being an unnecessary worry during difficult times in someone else’s life!

The cost of a funeral can be expensive, but it doesn't have to break your bank. Pre-planning with an experienced professional will save you thousands in the long run!

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. This detailed pre-planning checklist can help you or a loved one plan ahead for the funeral.

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.


funeral home services in cranbury NJ

Follow Us on Social Media

funeral homes in cranbury NJ

Saul Colonial Home  |  A.S. Cole Son & Co.

hamilton NJ funeral homes

Saul Colonial Home  |  A.S. Cole Son & Co.

A.S. Cole Son & Co.
22 N Main St
Cranbury, NJ 08512
(609) 395-0770

Saul Colonial Home
3795 Nottingham Way
Hamilton Square, NJ 08690
(609) 587-0170

Kimberly M. Saul-Bowne, CFSP, Manager
N.J. Lic. No. 4110

funeral homes in west windsor NJ
funeral homes in monroe NJ
hamilton NJ funeral homes
Association of American Cemetery Superintendents

© Saul Funeral Homes, Inc. - Funeral Home Website Design By Frazer Consultants & TA

Privacy Policy & Terms of Use