Part of being a responsible adult is planning out your own funeral. This takes the pressure off of your loved ones when the time comes and allows them peace to handle their grief. Here are some things you should know when you start planning for your own funeral.
It's important to realize that each state has an order of priority that states who is capable of making funeral arrangements on behalf of the deceased. This is followed in the event there are no legal documents specifying otherwise. If you would like to specify who will take care of the decision making, be sure to have it put in a legal document. In most states the order goes from your spouse, to your adult children, to your parents, to your siblings, and so forth down the list of your next-of-kin.
When you go to a funeral home to make arrangements for your body after you pass, there are three options you have to choose from. These include burial, cremation, and donation. The first, burial, is one of the most popular options where your body will be placed in a casket and buried underneath the ground. With cremation, your body is burned and the ashes are put in a urn for your loved ones to do whatever they wish with, unless you specify other wishes for their disposal. Lastly, you can donate your body to many of the medical field programs for students to learn from.
Many different types of insurance programs come along with death benefits. Most programs will give your family a specified amount of money to put towards your funeral expenses. It's important that you understand the various funeral benefits that you have and what their coverage limits are. This way, you can financially prepare for your funeral so that your family is not stuck with a large bill to pay after your passing.
If you've followed this advice so far, you know who you want to be in charge of your funeral arrangements. It's important that you name this executor and discuss the various things that you want to happen after your death. This should be in a form of writing that your executor can easily follow. It should instruct them on your wishes for what to do with your body, what cemetery you want to be laid to rest in, and so forth.
Planning for your own funeral may not be something that you really want to think about. However, it's a part of life and something that you should do sooner rather than later. The above four tips should get you on the way to planning your funeral just how you want it to proceed.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.