This worksheet helps you pre-arrange your funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, or other after life wishes.
It is common for people to plan out the funeral, cremation, celebration of life or other after-life events. It takes the pressure off loved ones and ensure you or your loved ones goals and wishes are upheld.
This article helps you pre-arrange your funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, or other after life wishes. This is not about legal or healthcare decisions, but about memorialization, celebration, and remembrance. A downloadable worksheet is available here.
Type of Service
Decide how you want your life celebrated. Consider religious or spiritual beliefs, cultural traditions, or personal preferences. Common services include:
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Funeral
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Memorial
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Celebration of life
- Other
Record your preferences.
Choosing A Venue & Location
Choose a place that aligns with your vision:
- Funeral home
- Place of worship
- Community hall or function space
- Outdoor or personally meaningful location
- Other
Record your preferences.
Final Resting Place
Decide how and where your remains should be laid to rest:
- Burial in a cemetery (a particular cemetery or family plot)
- Cremation with ashes placed or scattered in a meaningful and special location
- Transportation back to a homeland or ancestral location
- Other personal or culturally significant arrangements
Record the details.
During the Ceremony
You may wish to outline specific aspects of the service, including:
- Whether there will be an open viewing
- Preferred music or songs or readings
- Photos, slideshows, or video tributes
- Certain flower or plant arrangements
- A guestbook for attendees
- Opportunities for family and friends to share stories or messages
Record your wishes and notes.
Personalization & Memories
Personal touches can make the service truly reflective of your life. How would you like to be remembered?
- Favorite foods, colors, or music
- A theme that symbolizes your personality
- A book that tells your story from your perspective
- Anecdotes, values or lessons to pass on in forms of written or electronic messaging
- Traditions or symbols to continue
- Special instructions for online and offline memorialization
Record your wishes and notes.