If you’re looking into pre-planning a funeral for yourself or a loved one, the process can seem overwhelming at first. Without proper organization, it can be easy to miss some of the most important details of the funeral--and beyond.
Using a free online tool like Funerals360’s My Funeral Wishes will help you organize all the necessary information in one place, so you can share it with your loved ones and use it as a guide for any important planning-related conversations.
Here are a few of the most important--and often overlooked--aspects of funeral pre-arrangements.
Appoint an Impartial Organizer
As with planning any event, organization is important when pre-arranging a funeral. But no matter how organized you are, or how much forethought you have given, there is always the possibility of unforseen questions that can come up during the actual funeral process. That’s why it is important for you to appoint someone in advance to handle any unforeseen aspects of the ceremony. This person is called a “Designated Funeral Agent”, and could be a family member, a minister, a funeral director, an attorney, or another person you trust. Explain to this person ahead of time your motivation and your expectations for this role.
Having a Designated Funeral Agent will relieve your family from having to make unforeseen decisions, and could potentially avoid conflict or disagreements. You can easily appoint a Designated Funeral Agent within My Funeral Wishes, and be sure to check your state’s requirements for making it legally binding.
Provide Instructions Beyond the Funeral
While you’ve probably already decided in your initial planning whether you want a cremation or traditional burial, don’t forget to explain what the next steps are for your friends and family.
Do you want your ashes scattered in a certain way or at a certain location? Do you want certain flowers near your gravesite? Should family visit an area where your ashes have been scattered? My Funeral Wishes presents you with many of these questions and more, plus provides a section for “Other Notes and Thoughts” where you could capture any additional ideas you might have.
Providing this type of direction would not only ensure your final wishes are carried out, but also could have the added benefit of helping your family come together without having to decide how to grieve in the aftermath of a funeral.
Arrange for Animal Care
Though you’ve likely considered care for immediate family members, make sure to include any pets in your funeral pre-arrangements. It’s best to discuss the care of a pet with caregivers ahead of time. Taking care of pet-related financial issues ahead of time can also help ensure their best care with whomever you decide to care for them. These details, if applicable, can also be documented in the “Other Notes and Thoughts” section of My Funeral Wishes.
When you make arrangements ahead of time for these details surrounding your passing, you save your loved ones from some of the most difficult decisions. Pre-arranging a funeral lets your family have the time they need to mourn, without the stress of trying to figure out what you would have wanted. With proper planning and attention, you can ease this burden for your loved ones and allow them to spend their time and energy on healing while celebrating your life.
If you would like personalized assistance beyond our DIY funeral planning tools and resources, check out the Funerals360 Funeral Concierge service, where you can speak to a dedicated funeral planning advisor and receive personal guidance every step of the way.
