Your Pre-Planning Check list for your Death
The hardest part of pre-planning is getting started. It’s natural to feel a little anxious about this topic. It’s not something we like to think about much less plan for, but it is absolutely necessary!
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?: Think about the funerals you’ve attended. You may not realize how many decisions have to be made but, it’s a lot. Let me break down for you.
Would you rather have a traditional, solemn ceremony or a celebration of life?
Where would you like it to be held? Funeral home? Church? Maybe there is an important place in your life where you would like your friends and family to gather and remember you. Or maybe you need multiple locations because you’d like to give people the opportunity to come together in your hometown AND where you’ve lived for many years.
Are there any religious guidelines you would like followed?
Do you want the ceremony officiated by a religious leader like a priest or pastor?
Are there certain scriptures you want read?
Do you want to designate people to read them?
Do you want certain songs played? Or any songs you don’t want played?
You can even outline what kind of flowers or memorial displays - like certain photos or a video- you want at your funeral.
Are there additional ceremonies you would like? Wake, visitation, reception, Shiva, military honors?
List any other unique element like favorite flowers, hobbies, colors, sports team, etc
Will you want your body present?
Do you want the casket open or closed? Even if you choose cremation, you can have your body present for the viewing, or you can have your body cremated before the service and have your ashes present.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE LAID TO REST?: One of the most important, if not thee most important decision, is how your body should be laid to rest. Most people choose either burial or cremation. You could also choose anatomical donation (donating your body to science).
If burial is your preference, you have to decide where.
Do you have a preferred cemetery?
Do you want your body to be embalmed? (embalming isn’t required, but preferred if there will be a viewing)
Will the casket be buried in the ground or entombed in a mausoleum?
Community mausoleum or private?
Do you have a preference on the casket? (Wood, metal, fancy, or basic)
If cremation is your preference, you can decide if you want it done before the service or after the funeral, so the body is available for viewing at the service.
What do you want your family and friends to do with the ashes? Scatter them in a meaningful place? Bury or entomb them at a cemetery? (glass front urn niches are my choice at the cemetery)
Be kept in someone’s home?
What type of urn would you like? Stone, glass, ceramic? We used a sand urn for my brother and mother in law. It dissolves with the ashes once released into the ocean.
SET YOUR BUDGET: Pre-planning makes so much sense from a financial standpoint because you are locking in today’s prices. Today, a funeral with viewing and burial costs around $8-$10,000. Cremation is a little cheaper but either way, no one wants that expense falling in their lap unexpectedly. Think about how much money you have to set aside if paying in full, or you also have the option to finance it so you can pay for it over time.
As you can see, there are quite a few decisions that need to be made. Don’t leave these for your loved ones to handle when you pass away. Take the initiative and check this item off your to do list as soon as you can. Whether it’s for yourself or for your parents/grandparents, I’m here to help you through it.
After reading this, have you at least decided on burial or cremation? Reach out to me and I can send you a pre planning check list to help you get started and your wishes recorded.