Pre-Planning Checklist

Taking care of all the funeral pre-arrangement details will give you and your family the peace-of-mind you deserve.

Information you'll need to assemble:


Ways in which you can plan ahead:               

Vital Statistics

- Father’s name

- Mother’s name prior to marriage (maiden name)

- Highest completed level of education

- Your social security number.

Affiliations

- Fraternal organizations

- Union membership

- Any special recognitions you might have

If you’re a Veteran

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

- Copy of DD214


General

  • Gather personal information for your obituary
  • This includes a narrative of your life's interests, names of those preceding you in death, name of immediate and extended family members who are surviving you, special friends, and organizations that you would like to recognize, i.e. hospice, etc.
  • Charities to direct donations to in lieu of flowers or that you support, if desired
  • Choose a funeral home
  • Make note of any special instructions for your services and final disposition

Funeral Service

  • Choose burial or cremation
  • Select a casket and vault, or cremation container and urn
  • Choose the location for your service and type of service
  • Decide whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation
  • Choose floral arrangements for your casket and place of service
  • Select which photographs and memorabilia you’d like to display


Funeral Service, Cont.

  • 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
  • Select stationery and memorial register book
  • Record any additional or particular ways you’d like to personalize your services
  • If you would like to showcase your accomplishments, hobbies, personality, and life story, be sure to include these details in your plan.


Participants

  • Choose a clergy member or officiator to preside over the service
  • Select and notify musicians who you would like to participate in your services
  • Select and notify pallbearers
  • Choose friends or family members to deliver your eulogy, read scriptures, or prepare talks or speeches


Cemetery

  • Choose a cemetery
  • If burying, select a burial plot or mausoleum
  • If cremating select a cremation plot or scattering arrangements
  • Select a memorial stone or grave marker and inscription


The Basics of Planning

Here's a break-down of the process:
  • Set goals
  • Review limitations
  • Look at available options
  • Weigh the pros and cons of each option
  • Talk to others about the best options
  • Arrive at a final decision
In the case of funeral pre-arrangement, another two important steps are involved:
  • Write out your plan with as many details as possible.
  • Send your plan to the funeral home and provide a copy to your executor.
There are two ways for you to complete your funeral pre-arrangement plan.

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Using the Online Pre-Planning Tool

This website features Pre-Arrange Online, a step-by-step interactive form that can be used to record your end-of-life plan and send the completed form to our staff for safekeeping. 
Pre-Arrange Now

Turn to the Professionals

Many people are more comfortable making these decisions with funeral professionals. If you would like us to help, call us or send us an email using the Contact Us form.