How to Preplan Your Funeral

Many people feel that preplanning your own funeral is morbid. Some even feel it might hasten their death if they do so. None of that is true. Preplanning your funeral is a practical act of love for the ones who will handle your arrangements. It is also a way to guarantee that your funeral arrangements are as you wish them to be.

When my husband suddenly passed away, I had to make a lot of arrangements. It was very difficult for me and my children, as we were emotionally distraught. We had to make choices while experiencing the shock of grief. I decided not to put my children through that experience when it was time for my own funeral. They will be devastated enough at my death and I don't want them to have the extra burden of planning a funeral.

I visited the funeral home that handled my husband's arrangements. I chose the same "package" I selected for him. There were two choices in preplanning my funeral. I could pay now at the same rate as I paid for my husband, or I could preplan everything and let my children pay the cost that was in effect at that time. I would put aside money for them to pay the expenses. I decided to pay now at the current rate. I am sure the interest the funeral home earns on my prepayment will not be as much as the rates my children would pay at my death. Prices usually rise a lot faster than interest rates and I'm hoping to live a long healthy life.

My children live in another state and it is possible in the future that I might have to move near them so they could take care of me. The funeral home I chose is part of a large nationwide network. So if I moved, my children could use the prepaid funeral arrangements at any funeral home that is part of that network. That is a very important point to clarify.

I chose several songs I would like sung at the service, recorded them to a CD, and brought it to the funeral home to be placed in my file. My children will pick the flower arrangements and the memorial cards. That way, even though the funeral is preplanned, they will be able to participate in some way.