Funeral planning. Notes: For more information and resources see our website:

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1 Funeral planning Below are just a few of the considerations that need to be addressed. There is more information on our website and you can record your choices and decisions on the planning sheets. Do you have a pre-paid funeral or funeral package? Have you considered where you would prefer to rest at home or in a funeral home? Do you have a specific funeral director in mind or do you wish to leave the choice to loved ones, guided by your choices in this plan? Do you wish to be buried or cremated? Do you wish to donate your body to medical science? (See our website for link to full information. This one needs to be planned in advance!) If you do not wish to have a formal funeral then you might like to consider how you would like people to mark your death. A party or a quiet gathering in a place you loved; a camp fire in the woods, sharing stories or memories or an annual event in your name. A memorial service or celebration of life ceremony could be held instead of a funeral. As always, make sure you write what you want down somewhere or tell someone so that your wishes can be followed. Notes:

2 About me My full name is:... My date of birth is:... Details of my next of kin Name:... Address:... Tel number:... Relationship to me:... After my death Before my funeral I wish/do not wish people to be able to come and see me. I want my body to be dressed in:... Before the funeral Who do you want to be informed of your death? (Your Christmas card list or contacts are a good place to start.)... Think about what you would like to wear, how you would like your body to be presented. Is there a photograph which shows how you like your hair and/or makeup to look? You might like to include it in this section... Which newspapers would you like a notification of your funeral arrangements to go into? (This could be especially relevant if you have lived and worked in different places.)... Do you want a notification to go out on the internet through Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn? Maybe you want to write your own death notice?... Page 1

3 My Funeral My preferred funeral director is: My funeral will be paid for by: My estate My insurance policy My family My funeral plan Prior to my funeral I want my coffin to be: Taken home Kept at the funeral home I wish my body to be - Buried: Name of cemetery, churchyard, natural burial ground etc I have/have not purchased a plot. Cremated, and my ashes should be: Scattered at the Crematorium (or another Crematorium) Scattered at a cemetery, on a grave or in the Garden of Remembrance Interred in a grave or cremated remains plot at a cemetery or graveyard Combined with other cremated remains of loved ones. (see other choices on page 5) Page 2

4 The content of my funeral ceremony should be religious/non-religious. My faith or belief is:... I have chosen the following music to be played, song or hymn to be sung:... I would like the following religious verse, poetry or prose to be read:... I have written some words to be read out at my funeral. You will find them:... I would like the following people to be asked to speak at my funeral:... My preferred minister or officiant is:... I would like mourners to wear smiles/a specific colour/a specific type of clothing in my memory... Notes: Page 3

5 Other choices Flowers: I want no floral tributes just flowers from my family people to be free to decide for themselves. My favourite flowers are:... I wish donations to charity in lieu of flowers. The charity of my choice is:... After my funeral any floral tributes should be taken to:... Coffin: I have chosen a specific coffin... I have no preference. I would like my coffin to be as green or biodegradable as possible. I would like a wicker/wool/cardboard/felt/bamboo/custom designed coffin. Embalming (preserving a body with chemicals to delay deterioration): I would like my body to be: embalmed not to be embalmed I have no strong preference (This may be a consideration if you want a woodland burial - check with a funeral director) My final journey I would like my body to be carried in a: a hearse by horse and carriage by motorcycle hearse some other way... I wish to take a special route for my final journey which is:... I would like the following people to be asked to carry my coffin:... Page 4

6 After my funeral I would like a riotous, happy party at... I would like people to have a cup of tea and share some fond memories. I would rather that people just got back to their lives, lived them to the full and remembered me with a smile. I would like my final place of rest marked with a headstone With the following inscription: I would like my cremated remains to be: Kept by my family Buried or scattered in my garden Made into a piece of jewellery Incorporated into a firework and let off as part of a display Sent into space! Become part of an artificial memorial reef underwater See our website for more details and ideas. Page 5