Pre-Planning and Your Wishes

One of the most important aspects of pre-planning your funeral is making your wishes known. Funerals can be deeply personal, and if you have opinions about how you would like yours to be done, it is important to make your wishes known. Pre-planning is a great way to make those decisions for yourself. Below, we will discuss some of the important personal choices that people make during the pre-planning process. 

Pre-Planning Burial or Cremation

Many people have an idea of whether they’d prefer burial or cremation. Cremation is increasingly popular, but a lot of people still prefer a more traditional burial. Other options can include interment in a mausoleum or columbarium. Your funeral director can help you explore options, their costs, and what you would prefer. You can also choose a style of urn or casket for yourself, and pre-select flower arrangements to surround your casket or urn with during the service.

Size of Your Funeral

Many funeral services can be large affairs with friends and family coming to mourn and lend support. But some people would prefer a quiet, more intimate send-off. When pre-planning, you can instruct the funeral home to use a smaller room, or put out an announcement with the funeral plans that you just want close friends and family to attend. This can be especially important for public figures or service workers. 

Setting the Pace of the Service

Pre-planning can help create a service that reflects you and your wishes. When planning your service, you can choose music, request that certain family members provide a eulogy, or leave final words yourself. Many people will leave instructions to contact their church or religious congregation. This may be to request a religious service from a clergy member. On the other hand, some individuals will request that their service remain secular. It can be important to mention this to your funeral director, especially if you and your family do not see eye to eye on religious services.

Peace of Mind

Pre-planning your funeral can give you the peace of mind that your wishes are preserved for your end-of-life services. But it can also help you support your loved ones in a difficult time to come. Pre-planning can help lift the burden of funeral costs from your loved one’s shoulders. It also lets you pay in installments, so that it is less of a burden on your family. Take care of your wishes while supporting your family one last time.

Matthew Funeral Home does not provide medical, legal, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, financial, or medical advice.
For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.