Funeral Preplanning Checklist

• Consider religious requirements, environmental preferences, and family traditions.
• Review options such as traditional burial, cremation, green burial, body donation, or veteran burial benefits.
• Write your choice clearly so family members are not left guessing.
• Note any second-choice preferences if your first option is unavailable.

Options may include:

• Traditional funeral with viewing
• Memorial service without the body present
• Graveside or committal service
• Religious service
• Celebration of life
• Private family gathering only
• No formal ceremony

• Name preferred clergy, officiant, or celebration-of-life facilitator if known.
• Suggest songs, poems, scriptures, or cultural rituals.
• Indicate whether you prefer flowers, memorial donations, or both.
• Note any people you would like invited to speak or serve as pallbearers.

• If you own cemetery property, note the location of deeds and plot numbers.
• For cremation, indicate whether ashes should be buried, placed in a columbarium, kept by family, or scattered.
• Research rules for scattering ashes in your chosen location.
• Record veteran eligibility for burial in a national cemetery if applicable.