Preplanning Checklist

Preplanning Checklist

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

Two people smiling over a laptop on a couch in a bright living room

Choose the Type of Service You Want

Pre-planning your funeral service can not only ease the burden on your loved ones, but it helps ensure your final wishes are honored. While some families struggle with making those final decisions after losing someone,

your family won’t have to worry with making those hard choices.


  • Choose what funeral home to handle your service.
  • Decide what type of service you want (traditional, cremation, etc…).
  • If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you want to be buried.
  • Meet with the funeral director 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 can help decide on pallbearers and even ask them personally if you wish. You should also consider who you would like to officiate or participate in your service.
  • Choose which songs you would like played at your service.
  • Make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary for your family.

Choose Who You Want to be in Charge

Here are some helpful tips to consider; they are not requirements for everyone. Make these decisions carefully. We will also give each family a ‘Family Checklist’ of items that may need to be done after death occurs.


  • Your family and/or friends will take part in the process of fulfilling your final wishes, they only need instructions on what they need to do.
  • Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will or knows how to locate it.
  • Have a list of important account information and companies that will need to be contacted following your death – make sure a family member or chosen friend knows where the list is located.
  • Designate someone to be your power of attorney if you feel that is necessary.

Choose To Pay In Advance

Making decisions about your funeral service in advance can benefit you and your survivors financially. Paying for expenses in advance frees your family from that financial burden. Things to consider prepaying:


  • Cemetery burial plot
  • Monument
  • All funeral arrangements including services and merchandise