Pre-Planning Checklist
The following checklist will help you create your personalized plan.
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 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 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.
- 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.
Information You'll Need:
Vital Statistics
- 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
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
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.