Preplanning Checklist
Preplanning involves making choices about services and gathering information to reflect one's life. Below you will find a information that will assist with planning a service and personal information that can be used to draft an obituary.
Creating a complete pre-arrangement includes selecting service preferences and providing the necessary biographical information; but it is important to keep in mind that you do not have to make all decisions at once, it can be an ongoing process.
Service Preferences
Funeral Service
- Choose burial or cremation.
- Select a casket or cremation container.
- Choose locations and types of services.
- Choose floral arrangements or charities for memorial contributions.
- 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.
Information You'll Need
Biographical Information
- Your father’s name
- Your mother’s maiden name
- Your level of education
- Your social security number
- Spouse's full name
- Anniversary date
- Full names of family members
- Occupation and Place of Employment
- Hobbies, interests, etc.
Affiliations
- Church membership and activities
- 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