Preplanning Checklist

Ways to Plan Ahead:

General

• Gather personal information for your obituary.
• Choose a charity to direct donations to, if desired.
• Choose a funeral home.
• Make note of any special instructions you desire for your services and final disposition.

Funeral Service

• Choose burial or cremation.
• Select a casket or cremation container.
• Choose the location and type of service.
• Decide whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation.
• Choose floral arrangements.
• Select which photographs and memorabilia you’d like to display.
• Consider any customs, traditions, or religious rites that are important to you and your family.
• Choose the clothing you’d like to be dressed in.
• Select music and hymns, if desired.
• Select a style for your stationery and memorial register book.
• Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family.
• Brainstorm any additional ways you’d like to personalize the services or pay tribute to your accomplishments, hobbies, personality, and life story.

Participants

• Choose a clergy member or officiator to preside over the service.
• Select any musicians whose talents you’d like to employ.
• Select pallbearers.
• Choose friends or family members to perform the eulogy, read scripture, or prepare a speech.

Cemetery

• Choose a cemetery.
• Select a burial or cremation plot, or a mausoleum, if appropriate.
• Decide between above- and below-ground burial.
• Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription.

Information You’ll Need:

Vital Statistics

• Your father’s name
• Your mother’s maiden name
• Your level of education
• Your social security number

Affiliations

• Fraternal organizations
• Service organizations
• Union memberships
• Any special recognitions you have

If you’re a veteran, you’ll also need to include:

• Military service
• Branch rank
• Date of enlistment
• Date of discharge
• Name(s) of war/conflict(s) toured
• Serial number