While not an enjoyable task, planning for your funeral before you go takes an enormous burden off your family. Not only do you ensure that everything goes how you want it to, but you also have the chance to make it a celebration of life rather than a sad event. Here are the questions you need to answer when planning your own funeral.
What will your obituary include?
Your obituary is a short notice of death that is usually printed in a newspaper and posted online. Most obituaries include your date of birth, place of birth, some family information, who survives you, details about any education and organizations you were in, as well as where to send flowers. You can also choose to have people donate money on your behalf to a particular charity. Some obituaries also include something you are passionate about, such as a hobby. If you want a photo with your obituary, you can choose that, too.
Where do you want your funeral held?
The biggest question most people have when it comes to a funeral is the location of the service. Do you want it to be in a church, a funeral home, or your home? There are advantages and disadvantages of each. Holding it in your home would be much cheaper, but you’re likely to have less room if you have it in your home. A funeral home might be a great in-between, but it may be more depressing. Find out where you want your funeral held. Another thing you should consider is whether you want an open or closed casket.
Who is invited?
Many people allow their funerals to be open to the public, meaning anyone who wishes to attend can do so. However, if you want to, you also have the choice to make your funeral private. Making it private means that only family and friends are allowed. You have the option of choosing who you would like to attend.
Who will facilitate any ceremonies and who will speak?
Even if you’re having the ceremony in your home, you can request a religious figure to be there to perform it, and you need to find someone ahead of time who is willing to do so. Additionally, you need to decide who will give the eulogy if you want one.
What do you want to wear?
It seems like a small thing to consider, but it can weigh heavily on some people’s hearts. Many people decide to wear an outfit that has significant meaning, such as a uniform or an outfit a relative purchased for them. It’s completely up to you. You should also think about what jewelry you wish to wear such as a ring, necklace, or another type of adornment.
Who will be your pallbearers?
A pallbearer is someone you choose to carry and officially escort your coffin at a funeral. The number of pallbearers depends on you, but most people choose six or eight. These are usually close friends or family members.
Do you want any special music, reading, food, or drinks?
If you have a favorite song that you want to have played at your funeral, you need to make arrangements to have it performed at a particular time. You can also have someone read something from a piece of literature you find moving or a passage that will help others heal from their loss. Occasionally at funerals, food and drinks are available. It’s not necessary, but it can be an option to include refreshments at your funeral, depending on where it's held.
How will you pay?
If possible, be sure everything is paid for and covered before your passing. Millions of people prepay for their funerals, and it can be done easily in installments that make it much easier for families to mourn. How to do so varies from state to state, so it’s essential to read up on your state’s laws. The most important thing you need to do before prepaying is to make sure the funeral home is reputable. Many risky businesses take your funds and disappear.
Where will you store this information?
After you’ve answered all of these questions, you need to keep your requests in a safe place, such as a fireproof home safe. You can also choose to keep your information with an attorney who sees through your wishes, although you’ll have to pay. Another option is to assign someone to ensure your final requests are completed. Finally, you also need to review the plan every two to four years to ensure the documents are relevant and up-to-date.
