A preplanning funeral checklist ensures all the details are outlined, so that you can ease the burden on your loved ones during a difficult time.
When a loved one passes, more than 80 decisions must be made within the first few hours. This period is often filled with grief and overwhelming emotions. Thinking clearly and making important choices can be incredibly hard under these circumstances. That’s why preplanning your funeral is such a meaningful and thoughtful gesture. It offers your family the ultimate peace of mind, so they can focus on remembering and honoring you instead of being overwhelmed by decisions.
In this article, we will share the benefits of advance funeral planning along with a helpful preplanning funeral checklist that outlines everything you'll want to consider.
Why Preplan?
- Avoid making hasty decisions: When preplanning your funeral, you have the opportunity to carefully consider every detail, making decisions that reflect your personal wishes.
- Eliminate second-guessing: By preplanning, your loved ones will have clear direction when the time comes, sparing them from the uncertainty of having to guess your preferences.
- Enjoy convenience and flexibility: Setting up your plans is simple and straightforward, and you can easily make adjustments if needed.
- Reduce the chance of disagreements: By clearly outlining your wishes now, you provide a clear roadmap, minimizing the chance of conflict among your loved ones.
- Ensure that your funeral is carried out according to your wishes: Whether it’s specific songs or special flowers, preplanning ensures that your funeral is tailored to reflect your exact desires.
The Preplanning Checklist: Use this checklist to guide you in creating a plan for your funeral. While every decision is personal, the list includes the most common details that are addressed:
1. Final Disposition Preferences
- Burial or Cremation: Do you want to be buried, cremated, or some other form of final disposition?
- Location: Where would you prefer to be laid to rest—in a family plot, cemetery, or elsewhere?
- Funeral Home: Choose a funeral home that aligns with your values and service preferences.
2. Service Details
- Location of Service: Would you prefer a traditional church or funeral home service, a ceremony at your home, or another meaningful location?
- Type of Service: Consider whether you'd like a religious service, a celebration of life, or something more personalized.
- Officiant: Who should lead the service? This might be a religious figure, a professional celebrant, or a close friend or family member.
3. Music and Readings
- Favorite Songs: Select music to be played during the service. This might include hymns, soothing tunes, or personally meaningful melodies.
- Poems or Readings: Are there particular scriptures, poems, or readings that resonate with you?
4. Personalization Details
- Clothing: Decide what you’d like to wear for your funeral—whether it’s formal attire, casual, or something that reflects your personality.
- Photographs or Mementos: Specify any pictures, keepsakes, or objects that should be displayed at the service, helping to tell your story.
5. Pallbearers and Eulogists
- Pallbearers: Choose who you’d like to carry your casket, whether they’re family, friends, or other special people in your life.
- Eulogists: Consider who should give a eulogy, as well as any specific memories or stories you’d like shared.
6. Special Requests
- Charitable Donations: If you would prefer donations to a specific charity rather than flowers, provide the necessary details.
- Green Funeral Options: If you are eco-conscious, consider environmentally-friendly burial or cremation options.
7. Financial and Legal Considerations
- Prepayment Options: Explore prepaying for funeral services, so that everything is taken care of in advance. Evan W. Smith Funeral Services offers a variety of payment options, including one-time payments or installments.
- Legal Documents: Store a current copy of your will, marriage and birth certificates, veteran’s discharge papers, military service records, life and health insurance policies, social security information, and other estate planning documents in an accessible location. Ensure that your family members know where to find them.
By following this preplanning funeral checklist, it ensures that your wishes are honored, your family isn’t burdened with tough decisions, and your legacy is celebrated in the way you wanted.
Whether you need to plan a funeral for a death that has occurred or are seeking to preplan arrangements, our compassionate staff is always available to assist you. Please reach out to us anytime.
About Evan W. Smith Funeral Services: Since 2009, residents of Wilmington, Dover, and the surrounding Delaware community have relied on the caring staff at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services to help them through their darkest hours. Family-owned and operated, the company offers an array of elite funeral care services, including traditional funerals, cremations, memorials, pre-planning, grief counseling, and more. With decades of experience in caring for families from all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life, Evan W. Smith Funeral Services is committed to creating memorable, uplifting experiences that always exceed expectations. For more information, please visit www.ewsmithfs.com.
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