Funeral Planning Guides for Seniors

Planning for a funeral can be complicated and time consuming. We hope this planning guide might make it a little less difficult.

With this Funeral Planning Guide, you’ll be able to assist your loved ones during what will be a very hard and often confusing time.

Documenting your funeral preferences, as well as providing important information will make a hard time a little easier for them.

Family members and friends will be faced with making numerous funeral planning decisions very quickly. And it’s going to be tough to make decisions during such an emotional time.

They should know what kind of funeral you want.

• What funeral provider should be used?
• Do you prefer burial or cremation? What other arrangements should be planned?
• Whom should be notified?

And there are many more questions you’ll want to answer to help make this an easier transition for all.

Following the funeral, your financial affairs will need to be finalized. The information you provide will be vital.

This Funeral Planning Guide makes it easy to document information your family and loved ones will need after you pass.

They should know what to expect after your funeral.

• Where can important documents be found?
• Are there any account passwords or numbers needed?
• Are there and liabilities or loans that need to be taken care of?

We all know planning for the end of one’s life is not easy, and it can be uncomfortable and awkward for your family to discuss them with you. But this information is essential to ensure clarification for those closest to you during this tough time.

This guide should help alleviate some of the discomfort, helping to ensure that your final wishes are carried out the way that you want!

Click Here to print the document!

Important items you’ll need to know or gather!

Personal Information

• Full Legal Name, also other names that you may be known.
• Social Secuity Number
• Date of Birth
• City & State of Birth
• Your Maiden Name
• Mother’s Maiden Name
• Father’s Name
• Married with Wedding Date and Place; Never Married, Widowed or Divorced
• Spouse or Domestic Partners Name
• Driver’s License State and Number
• Visa and/or Passport Number

Education

• High School Name City & State
• Highest Grade Completed or Degree Earned
• College Name City & State
• Highest Grade Completed or Degree Earned
• Any College Organizations or Affiliations

Funeral Arrangements that YOU desire!

WARNING!!! It’s going to be tough to discuss but “let’s get real” to help those you love!

What type of funeral arragnements are there?

1. Do you want a traditional funeral followed by burial or cremation?
2. Do you want a direct burial or cremation, followed by a memorial service?
3. Do you want a direct burial or cremation, with no memorial service?
4. Do you want to be buried as sea?
5. Do you want to donate your body and then have the remains returned for a cremation service?

Do you have a ceremony preference?

1. A funeral service at my place of worship?
2. A funeral service at a funeral home?
3. Would you like a graveside ceremony only?
4. Would you like a memorial ceremony only? Where? Be specific!
5. Do you have any special affiliations for your ceremony? Military ceremony, Lodge ceremony, or other ceremony?
6. Other, be specific with your details.

Who would you like to be in charge of your wishes?

• A family member, a friend or attorney?
• Would you like a clergy, ceremony officiant or speaker?
• Do you have marker or headstone already paid for? If not, is there an inscription that you would like?
• Who would you like to have for Pallbearer’s? List names and numbers.
• Would you like any music, poetry, readings or religious scriptures at your service?
• Would you like flowers? Casket or standing spray? Lid arrangement? Any special pieces (ie.
• In lieu of flowers, where would you like memorial donations to be given? (ie. ministries, charities, organizations?)

Obituary Items that you’ll need

• Full legal name, date of birth
• Date of death
• Date, time and location of services & type of services held
• Hobbies and personal interests
• Clubs and lodges
• Membership in organizations
• Church affiliation and activities
• Special recognation and/or achievements
• Survived by: name, relationship, city & state
• Pre-deceased by name, relationship, year of death.

Step 1:

• Who is the estate executor or administrator?
• Do you have a lawyer?
• Do you have an accountant or financial advisor?
• Do you have a life insurance agent?
• List all of your financial instituations or credit unions with annount numbers.

Step 2:

• List all checking and savings accounts
• Do you have any safe depoist boxes?
• Do you have any ATM/Debit Cards?
• List all CD’s and their maturity dates
• Do you have any IRA’s or Pensions?
• List all your current credit cards and who are on the accounts.
• Mortgage Lender, list all account numbers.
• Do you have a 2nd mortgage, a home equity life of credit or reverse mortgage? If so, list all lenders and account numbers.
• Any automobile, boat or RV loans?
• Any other debts, list specific details and who to contact.

Step 3:

• If you’re employed, list the name of your employer and provide the name and number of your supervisor.
• If you are a renter, list your landlords name and phone number.
• Make a list of all your doctor’s and dentist contact information.
• Do you volunteer, belong to a union or a branch of the military?

Step 4: Gather Key Documents

• Will or Trust
• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Divorce Decree or Annulment
• Citizenship Certifiates
• Military Discharge Papers
• Insurance policies
• Deed of property
• Vehicle Titles
• Passports
• Social Security Cards
• Safe Depoist Box Key
• Adoption Papers