Why Pre-Plan Funeral Services

No one likes to think about death, let alone plan for it. In many families, discussing one's mortality is an extremely uncomfortable topic. But it is a topic that should be discussed and planned for well in advance of your death.

By pre-planning your funeral, you relieve your family of having to make important financial decisions during a period of great stress and grief-a time when people aren't thinking very clearly and may not know what to do because you never made your wishes known.

It's easy to say, "Don't make a fuss. I don't want a ceremony. Just bury me and be done with it." But it is important to realize that the ritual of a funeral and/or memorial service isn't for the deceased but for the living. It is a time when friends and family can gather together to grieve openly and to provide support for one another.

Pre-planning your funeral can be very informal, and as simple as jotting down your preferences and sharing your wishes with a family member. More formal arrangements in the form of a preneed contract can be set up with us and can be pre-funded through life insurance, bank trust agreement, or another method.

Pre-planning, when done properly, can give you peace of mind becaused you know that your arrangements are ready and pre-funded.

By pre-planning your funeral, you can:

• make all the arrangements during a time of peace and not leave them to your family during their time of grief
• make your wishes known
• control the cost of your funeral and protect from inflation
• ensure that personal records are organized and easy for your survivors to locate
• protect your insurance so that it provides for your survivors and not for funeral expenses
• provide protection in case the need arises before it is expected

Information for Pre-Need Funeral Planning

Vital Statistics

1. Full name and complete address
2. How long at current/former residence(s)
3. Occupation, job title, nature of work, and history
4. Location of workplace
5. Social security number
6. Veteran's serial number
7. Date and place of service, date of discharge
8. Date of birth
9. Place of birth
10. Family origin
11. Father's name
12. Mother's maiden name
13. Educational attainment

Paperwork and Documents to Collect

1. Will
2. Birth certificate
3. Social security card
4. Marriage license
5. Military discharge
6. Insurance policies (life, health, accident, property, auto)
7. Bank books
8. Stocks and bonds
9. Property deed
10. Cemetery deed
11. Auto titles
12. Tax returns, receipts, and cancelled checks

Decisions to Make

1. Exact location of burial/disposition
2. Location of service
3. Casket
4. Outer burial container
5. Items for memento display
6. Clothing and jewelry for deceased
7. Service type (religious, fraternal, military)
8. Selection of scripture and readings (poems, etc.)
9. Clergy to officiate
10. Register book, memorial/prayer cards
11. Casketbearers
12. Floral arrangements
13. Music selections
14. Transportation for family and guests, including funeral procession
    lineup