Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist

So, you're thinking about making your final arrangements? This checklist will help you make sure every detail is handled properly. At Highlands Funeral Home, were here to help inform you of all the decisions that you need to consider when pre planning a funeral. 

Funeral Pre-Planning in Louisville

Taking Care of Finances and Property
  • Create a contact list of everyone who should be notified in a medical/ emergency or death including the name of your funeral home.
  • Give your executor(s) a copy of your will and the contact list.
  • Give your executor(s) a list of bank and investment accounts, creditors, mortgage or lien information, insurance policies, retirement plans, safe deposit boxes, real and personal properties of value and all related telephone numbers.
  • If you are receiving benefits from Social Security or the Veterans' Administration, your executor needs that information to suspend benefit payments.
  • Select someone you trust to deal with your online accounts: email, online memberships, and social media. Include all relevant information and whether or not they should delete, close, or keep any of the accounts.
Taking Care of Funeral Related Details:
We suggest the following:
  • Make note of all the details you want mentioned in your obituary. You could even take this one step further and write your own obituary.
  • State, in writing, your preferences for burial or cremation.
  • If burial is preferred, provide the details of the cemetery arrangements. If you have not purchased a burial plot, this is the time to do so.
  • If you have chosen burial, what type of casket would you like? Should it be made of wood, metal, or composite materials?
  • If you choose cremation, what do you want done with the ashes?
  • Would you like a traditional funeral, memorial service, or celebration-of-life?
  • If you'd like a celebration-of-life, what location would you suggest for this event?
  • What special activities would you prefer at a celebration-of-life?
  • What music or special readings would you prefer?
  • What type and colors of flowers would you prefer?
  • Would you like to select a charitable organization to receive donations in your name?
  • If you're a veteran, would you like to receive full military honors as part of your service? Would you like to be buried in the grounds of a veterans' cemetery?
Taking Care of Your pets
If you share your life with animal companions, you should think about who you would like to take care of your pets. Consult with the person to see if this is something they are interested in doing for you and then write down your intentions and include all contact information. This should be signed and witnessed, and then given to your executor.

Now that you've figured out the details, it's time to make sure they're carried out. Take the time to assign responsibility for each task on your list.

But, honestly, there’s an easier way. Use our online tool, PreArrange Online. It’s just four steps – and you can revisit it at any time to revise your plan, because you’ll create an account with a log-in name and password.
Download Our FREE Funeral Planning Guide
All the information you provide will be held in strict confidence, because your privacy is as important to us as it is to you.

Have questions about pre-planning? Give us a call. We’ll help you take care of all the details – and there’s absolutely no cost or obligation for this service.
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