Funeral Planning Checklist

Although it's unpleasant to consider what will happen after your death, or the death of a loved one, it's important to plan ahead to avoid even more financial and emotional stress in the future. You can use this check list to take action and ease the burden on your family for when they have to carry out your final wishes.

Planning Ahead

General Preparations

  Create a will or write down last wishes

  Decide what you want written in your obituary

  Decide if you'd like funeral guests to donate to a charity

  Decide if you'd like to keep jewelry with you or returned to family

  Choose a funeral home

  Choose a casket or container

  Choose burial spot, columbarium niche, or other location

  Choose grave marker or inscription

  Decide on a type of funeral service

  Decide if you'd like to have a viewing or visitation

  Decide if you'd like floral arrangements

  Decide if you'd like religious items or songs at the funeral

  Choose readings

  Choose transportation for deceased and for loved ones

Participants

  Decide if you'd like clergy or another person to do readings

  Decide who will perform or select music

  Choose pallbearers

  Choose family member or friend to present a eulogy or speech

Costs

  Get estimates of how much the service would cost today

  Consider that these estimates will increase over time

  Calculate if you 'd have enough to cover the costs or if you need a life insurance policy

Final Arrangements

These actions will be done by your family or friends; they cannot be done in advance.

  Arrange transfer from place of death to funeral home

  Apply for death certificates

  Apply for burial permit if needed

  Choose date and time for funeral service

  Compose and submit obituary to local newspapers

  Contact participants

  Make arrangements for a reception

Cover the Costs

When planning ahead, it's important to remember that the average funeral costs more than $10,000. If you'd like to learn more about how you could help your family cover the costs of funeral, burial or cremation, please fill out our quote form or give us a call at 855-490-4655.

Note: Not all benefits are available in every state. Please ask your funeral and burial insurance specialist for more details.