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 instructions for your services and final disposition.

Funeral Service

  • Choose burial or cremation.
  • Select a casket or cremation container.
  • Choose locations and types of services.
  • 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.
  • Choose a theme for decorations and stationery at your services.
  • Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family.

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.

Final Disposition

  • Choose a cemetery.
  • Select a burial plot or mausoleum.
  • Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription.
  • Decide who will keep your urn.
  • Decide who will scatter your ashes and where.

Information You'll Need

Personal Information

  • 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

Military Service Information

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