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.

Remember...

There’s no need to make all the decisions right away. For personalized assistance in creating your plan, contact one of our experts to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

The following checklist will help you create your personalized plan.

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