Preplanning Checklist
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming for family and friends, but preplanning your funeral service can help ease stress later and ensure your wishes are clearly known. This funeral preplanning checklist can help you think through important decisions in advance.
Choose the Type of Service You Want
Preplanning your funeral service can ease the burden on your loved ones and help ensure your final wishes are honored. While some families struggle with making these decisions after a loss, planning ahead means your family won’t have to guess what you would have wanted.
- Choose what funeral home and funeral director you would like to handle your service.
- Decide what type of service you want (traditional burial, cremation, donation, etc.).
- If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you want to be buried.
- Meet with the prearrangement counselor and look at your options for caskets and urns.
- If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
- Look at options for a location to hold your service (funeral home, religious facility, sentimental building, graveside).
- What type of flowers do you want? Do you want flowers, or would you rather donations be given to a particular charity or a charity of one’s choice?
- Who will be a part of your service? You should decide on pallbearers and ask them personally. You should also decide who you would like to officiate or participate in your service.
- Choose which songs you would like played at your service.
- Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like included in your obituary.
Choose Who You Want to be in Charge
Your family and friends may want to take part in fulfilling your final wishes. They may simply need clear instructions on what to do.
- Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of your will.
- Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important account information that will need to be handled following your death. Also make sure someone knows your final wishes for your desired service.
- Designate someone to be your power of attorney.
- Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services and subscriptions.
Choose To Pay In Advance
Making decisions about your funeral service in advance can benefit you and your family financially. If possible, paying for expenses ahead of time can relieve some of the financial burden later. When possible, consider prepaying for:
- Cemetery services, burial plot
- Funeral arrangements including casket, urn, flowers, transportation and specialized services
We help families plan ahead throughout Haltom City, Fort Worth and surrounding communities in Tarrant County and the greater DFW area. If you have questions about funeral preplanning, our staff is here to help.