How to Plan your funeral
1. Plan ahead: The best thing is to plan ahead of time. Your strategy does not have to be complicated; a simple plan will benefit your family. Begin with the fundamentals: Interment options (burial, cremation, donation to medical science, sea burial); and funeral service options (i.e., a traditional funeral, memorial service, graveside service, no service).
2. Estimate the cost of your funeral: If necessary, alter your choices to reduce cost.
3. Share your funeral plans with your family: Choose a reliable family member, friend, or advisor to be the person in charge of carrying out your wishes.
4. Specify the details of your funeral services: If you prefer not to go into detail, this is optional. However, keep in mind that it will benefit those making final preparations for your funeral.
5. Make financial arrangements for your funeral: Determine whether you will leave enough money to cover the funeral and other final expenses. Consider funeral insurance, trust, cemetery space purchase in advance, and a pre-need contract for funeral services.
6. Organize and document important personal information: This will be necessary for wrapping up your affairs and benefit those delivering eulogies or writing your obituary. Consider what you might want to leave behind for genealogical purposes. All of this information will be valuable to future generations of your family.