How to Pre-Plan Your Funeral

• Also try: How to Plan a Funeral

Guide Note: While death is not a subject anyone likes to dwell on, letting your family and loved ones know your funeral wishes before your passing will help them in their time of grief and give you some peace of mind as well.

How to Pre-Plan Your Funeral reviews the details you should consider as you pre-plan your funeral arrangements.

How to Pre-Plan Your Funeral

If you're a veteran, consider being buried in a Veterans Cemetery. (Creative Commons photo by Brent Moore)

• Pre-planning your own funeral or, at the very least, putting your wishes in writing will save your loved ones untold stress and hardship following your passing. The kinds of details you should consider putting in writing include the following:

1. Type of Service and Location: Do you want to be buried in your church's cemetery? Do you want to be cremated and shot out of a cannon? Consider what should happen to your body following your death.
2. Who Should Be Invited: Would you prefer a small, private ceremony or a public gathering?
3. Who Should Facilitate and Speak at Your Funeral or Memorial Service: Do you have an officiant in mind? Is there a friend or family member you'd like to deliver your eulogy?
4. Clothing or Jewelry You'd Like to Be Buried In: If you want to buried, are there any items you'd like to be buried with? A favorite photo of your children? Buried in your military uniform?
5. Special Music or Readings: Do you want a certain song played or poem read at your memorial service?
6. Memorial Fund: In lieu of flowers, would you like mourners to donate funds to a favorite charity?
7. Your Obituary: Select a photograph you'd like included with your obituary, and record your full name, date and place of birth and details about your education and employment.
8. Memorial Video: Memorial videos or letters allow you to pass on a message to loved ones after you've passed away.

Should You Pay for Services Upfront?

• While you can pay for funeral arrangements in advance, MSN Money warns that consumers are not well-protected in these scenarios. Instead, they recommend you consider a Totten trust. A Totten trust is an account, which can be opened at any bank and is payable to a designated survivor upon the death of the account holder.

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Resources for How to Plan a Funeral

• Federal Trade Commission: Funerals: A Consumer Guide
• Federal Trade Commission: Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods & Services
• International Cemetery and Funeral Association: Consumer Resource Guide
• AARP: Funeral Arrangements and Memorial Services - Final Details: A Checklist
• VideoJug: Funeral Planning Videos
• MSN Money: How to Plan an $800 Funeral
• MSN Money: Steps You Must Take When Someone Dies
• Colorado Bar Association: What to Do When Someone Dies
• NOLO: Planning Your Funeral or Memorial Services
• Green Burial Council: Frequently Asked Questions
• The Neptune Society: Frequently Asked Questions

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