Leaving funeral instructions for loved ones provides them guidance during an overwhelming time.
Humans are mortal beings.
Death is inescapable.
Despite this fact, many people avoid preparing for this reality.
They choose not to think about when they will die or how they would like to be laid to rest by loved ones.
Although uncomfortable, making plans and leaving funeral instructions for loved ones can provide some mental relief amid an emotional loss.
Funerals tend to require a lot of planning and coordination to allow friends and family the opportunity to grieve together.
What specifics should you address?
Personal Details.
Your family should have access to a reference document for your essential personal information.
This will include your full name, names of family members, date of birth, education, and military or career information.
Having this information on hand will help your loved ones navigate paperwork demands after your death.
Obituary Information.
In addition to personal details provided for the purpose of paperwork and forms, you may want to share key facts and information for your obituary.
These can include information about your marriage and wedding, highlights of your career, and involvement in organizations and hobbies.
If you are particular about what is included in your obituary and how it is presented, you can even write the piece yourself.
Friends and Family to Notify.
Because obituaries are not always easy to access by those who do not have a newspaper subscription or a social media account or by those who live in another state, it is good to have a list of people you would like notified when you die.
These can include relatives, friends, or colleagues.
Creating a list and providing contact information in your funeral instructions can prevent loved ones from being accidentally excluded from this time of mourning.
Funerals typically require the work of a team.
You will need to decide who you would like to serve as your officiant, pallbearers, speakers, musicians, or funeral home directors.
By planning ahead, you can reduce worry or confusion about your wishes.
According to Homesteaders Life Company, considering who you want to be remembered is key to outlining your funeral instructions.
Significant variables to include in your plan are location, music, and clothing.
Consider whether you would like your service to occur in your home, church, or another special location.
Select songs, hymns, and scriptures with special meanings to you.
If you desire to be buried in a specific outfit with certain jewelry or want your hair and makeup done in a certain style, then be sure to include these in your funeral instructions.
In addition to the funeral service, you will need to decide logistics about your physical body.
Would you like your remains cremated, buried, or donated to science?
Outlining your wishes helps your family to proceed confidently.
If you choose to be buried, you will need to purchase a plot.
You can also select an urn, headstone, or other monument for your memorial.
Death can be costly.
Although you can let your loved ones sort out costs from your estate, you can reduce the stress and the expense through pre-arranging and financing your funeral.
Start by discussing payment options with the funeral home or talking with your estate planning attorney.
Because life circumstances do not remain stagnate, you will likely need to review and update your funeral instructions.
You can do this when you review your estate plan or when your finances change.
If you make changes to your funeral instructions, inform your loved ones.
Funeral arrangements often overlap with your estate planning.
If you have no estate plan in place or have not reviewed it recently, reach out to our Overland Park estate planning office to outline and protect your wishes.
Arranging your own funeral plan before you die can reduce the stress on your loved ones during a challenging time while simultaneously ensuring your wishes are honored.
You can outline preferences for your burial, service, and other details while arranging payments for your plans.
By taking action now to create funeral instructions, you can simplify the process and minimize opportunities for family conflict to arise.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should contact an attorney for advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between Harvest Law KC and the reader.
Reference: Homesteaders Life Company (Feb. 24, 2016) "Funeral Planning Checklist: Considerations for Families"
REMEMBER: “The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.”
This statement is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Missouri.