Preserve Cherished Memories

Planning Checklist

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming to your surviving family and friends, but preplanning your funeral service can help them better deal with the stress of losing someone.

Symmetrical living room with sofas, lamps, and a large window with blinds in the center.

Things to Consider

  • Choose which funeral home you would like to handle your final wishes.
  • Decide which type of disposition you would like for yourself, whether this be a casket burial, cremation, aquamation, or donation to science.
  • If you would like a casket burial, or to have your cremated remains interred in a cemetery, you will need to choose which cemetery you would like and purchase property with them.
  • You will want to decide what type of service you are looking to have. This can mean a traditional service, a memorial service, a graveside service, a memorial reception, and so many more. Please see our “Services” page for further information regarding the different options.
  • Look at options where you may want a service or celebration of life to be held, whether this be a funeral home, a religious facility, the graveside, or a location that holds sentimental value.
  • You may wish to choose a charity that you would like donations to be made to in your memory.
  • If you have anyone specific in mind to be apart of your service, you may wish to let your loved ones know, or speak with them directly. This can mean a certain person to officiate a service, deliver a eulogy, be a pallbearer, etc..
  • If you are having a traditional service, you may wish to choose 3 – 4 songs that you would like to have played during.
  • You may wish to write your own obituary, or make some notes regarding what information you would like for it to include.

Who has legal authority to make decisions?

  • Ensure that you have a valid will and have appointed an executor of your estate. This person will have full control over your funeral arrangements, when the time comes, and should be someone that you trust to follow your wishes. If you do not have an executor, your next of kin will instead be legally able to make all necessary decisions. Next of kin is a spouse. If there is no living spouse, this falls to adult children, then parents, and then siblings.
  • Ensure that your executor and any other pertinent people have access to a copy of your will.
  • Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important information such as account numbers, banking information, pensions, utilities, etc. This person will need all necessary information to cancel or notify these organizations.