Plan with Laura

Plan with Laura

Planning ahead for your funeral is a powerful way to support your loved ones during one of the most challenging times of their lives. By taking this step, you ease the emotional and logistical burden they might face, allowing them to focus on healing and honoring your memory. Embrace the opportunity to create a meaningful plan that provides comfort and clarity for those you care about most. 

It's often hard to fully grasp just how significant pre-planning a funeral can be until you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one firsthand. In those moments, the weight of decisions and logistics can feel overwhelming, compounding the grief of an already difficult time. By planning ahead, you remove that burden, giving your family the gift of time and space to focus on what truly matters—supporting one another and honoring your life. 

Yet, it’s easy to put this off. Many of us fall into the mindset of “it won’t happen to me, at least not anytime soon.” But life is unpredictable, and taking the time now to prepare is an act of love and foresight that will make a profound difference when it’s needed most. This isn’t about focusing on loss—it’s about empowering yourself to make a choice that will deeply benefit the people you care about most.

Below, I've included a simple checklist and additional information that will help you begin thinking about all the details involved in planning your funeral and how much it will truly help you and your family.  I know these conversations are not always easy, but I'm here to help if needed, and often, your willingness to step into this conversation with your family members can bring you closer to what's important while you're all still here.  I encourage you never to underestimate how important this can be and I also recognize that in some cases, this conversation might not feel possible.  That's OK too, but you still need to make a plan.  Connect with me here if you would like to talk.

Choose the Type of Service You Want

Pre-planning your funeral service can not only ease the burden on your loved ones, but it helps ensure your final wishes are honored. While some families struggle with making those final decisions after losing someone, your family won’t have to worry with making those hard choices.

• Choose what funeral home and director you would like to use to handle your service.
• Decide what type of service you want (traditional, cremation, donation, etc…).
• If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you want to be buried.
• Meet with the funeral director and look at your options for caskets and urns.
• If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
• Look at options for a location to hold your service (funeral home, religious facility, sentimental building, graveside).
• What type of flowers do you want? Do you want flowers, or would you rather donations be given to a particular charity or a charity of one’s choice?
• Who will be a part of your service? You should decide on pallbearers and even ask them personally. You should also decide who you would like to officiate or participate in your service.
• Choose which songs you would like played at your service.
• Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary.
  

Choose Who You Want to be in Charge

• Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will.
  
• Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important account information that will need to be contacted and handled following your death. Also make sure someone knows your final wishes for your desired service.
  
• Designate someone to be your power of attorney.
  
• Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services and subscriptions.
  

Choose To Pay In Advance