Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist

So, you're thinking about making your pre-need funeral arrangements? Naturally, we advise speaking with Dean Barker, our dedicated funeral pre-planning specialist, although any one of our licensed funeral directors can assist you in making pre-need funeral arrangements; his years of experience in assisting individuals with the funeral pre-arrangement process ensure you'll have the level of guidance you need. If you also feel you'd benefit from having a knowledgeable and supportive ally when making your pre-need funeral arrangements, we suggest you call 903-874-3755 to begin the funeral pre-planning conversation.

Don't forget you can also use our online funeral pre-planning tool, available through our Pre-Plan Online webpage. Once completed, you'll transmit your funeral pre-arrangement plan to us electronically–with just one click. However, if you want to begin making your pre-need funeral arrangements on your own; we offer the following funeral pre-planning checklist to support you in making sure every detail is handled properly.

• Prepare a list of people who should be contacted upon your death. This list should not only include names, but also phone numbers or other contact details.
   
• Write your obituary or write down the facts needed for its completion. We've got the information and guidance you may need on Writing Down a Life: Crafting the Obituary.
   
• Decide where the obituary should appear. If you want your obituary published in a newspaper, please provide the name(s) of the publications (and the name of the city where it is published, if it is not local).
   
• Choose the type of disposition you would like (burial or cremation). If you are undecided, it will be helpful to call us at 903-874-3755 discuss your options with one of our funeral professionals. You should know, in addition to our trusted cremation services, pre-paid cremation plans, and traditional funeral and burial services; Corley Funeral Home also offers area residents green burial options, including eco-friendly funerals.

Once you've made your decision about how your physical remains should be attended to; you're able to refine your plan, adding the necessary details.

If you are planning for cremation, you'll want to identify what it is you want done with your ashes. Will your survivors scatter your cremated remains, keep them at home, or inter them in a local cemetery? The answer to that question leads you to just a few others:

• What type of cremation urn would you like? Visit Cremation Urns to view our selection.
   
• Or, if scattering is your preference, where would you like the cremated remains to be scattered?
   
• If interment in a local cemetery is your desire, which cemetery should be contacted? You'll benefit from reviewing our selection of cremation vaults, too; as you may need to have one (depending on your choice of cemetery).
   
• Would you like surviving family and friends to gather together for a memorial service or celebration of life? If so, you'll need to identify where the service should be held, and who should be invited.

But what about if you want to have a traditional funeral service, with burial in a cemetery? Then there are more decisions to be made, including:

• Cemetery (and lot location if you've already purchased one)
   
• The casket you'd prefer (and burial vault, if one is required)
   
• The type of service you'd like: religious, military, other
   
• Your preferred location for the funeral and/or visitation
   
• Your pallbearers
   
• Your music selection
   
• Your flowers
   
• Readings at service and who will read them
   
• The charity, church, or organization you would like donations to be made to

Once you've figured out the details, it's time to make sure they're carried out. That's why we advise you take the time to assign responsibility for each task on your list–of course letting each person know what will be expected of them. (It's always good to ask for their permission before assigning any task.)

But, honestly, there are easier ways to make your funeral pre-arrangements. First, as mentioned earlier, you can use our online tool, PreArrange Online. It’s just four steps – and you can revisit it at any time to revise your plan, because you’ll create an account with a log-in name and password. 

But, while our online funeral pre-planning tool is useful; when making pre-need funeral arrangements, there's nothing more valuable than professional advice and support. That's why we humbly suggest you call our funeral pre-planning specialist, Dean Barker, at 903-874-3755.  His experience, wit, and warmth will guide you effortlessly throughout the funeral pre-arrangement process. He can also share with you the prepayment options available to you if you decide to fund your pre-arranged funeral plan.

Are you not quite ready to make your funeral pre-arrangement plan, but have questions about funeral pre-planning with Corley Funeral Home? Give us a call at 903-874-3755. We’ll help you take care of all the details–and there’s absolutely no cost or obligation for this service.