Plan Ahead

Preplanning Checklist

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

Choose The Type Of Service You Want

Pre-planning your final arrangements 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 and director you would like to use to handle your service.
  
• Decide what type of service you want (traditional, cremation, donation, 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 should decide on pallbearers and even 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 to be included in your obituary.
  

Choose Who You Want To Be In Charge

Your family and friends want to 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.
  
• Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important account information that will need to be contacted and handled following your death. Also make sure someone knows your final wishes for your desired service.
  
• Designate someone to be your power of attorney, to make decisions on your behalf if you are not able to advocate for yourself while living. A Power of Attorney can be specified for Medical or Financial, or both. Power of Attorney ends upon death, then the Executor has the rights and responsibility to ensure your wishes are met.
• If you have a Will in place, make sure your executor, has a copy of the will or access to it. If you do not have a Will, ensure your loved ones are aware of your choices and requests.
• An Executor typically handles “Settling of the Estate”, this typically means, anything that has your Name attached to it, has to be closed or settled. For example, basic utilities services, subscriptions, car insurance, mail delivery and bank accounts. Make sure your Executor, family member or chosen friend has a list of important account information that they will need to settle your estate. We will provide your authorized person with the documents required to complete their task.
  
• Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services and subscriptions.
  

Choose To Pay In Advance

Making decisions about your final arrangements in advance can benefit you and your survivors financially. Pre-funding, locks in the price and is held in Trust through a financial institution as well as registration with the government. Holding your monies safely until needed. Most services can be pre-arranged:

• Cemetery services, including Burial Plot, Open & Closing fees
• Monuments or Markers
  
• Direct Cremation or Burial Services

Services such as Obituaries, Flowers or honorariums are typically paid for at the time of Need.