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Pre-planning - Leaving instructions

It's very important to make sure that family members or friends know of the arrangements you've made. Leave the relevant details with at least a couple of people close to you. This information should includeany contractual arrangements you have made with a funeral home.

If you haven't actually signed a contract, but rather, know what you would like have happen, then you should outline the following:

• The business that you would like to have handle your cremation or burial;
• Whether you'd like direct disposition of your body or if you'd prefer a more prolonged ritualization;
• Whether you'd like to be embalmed;
• Your wishes for any ceremonies -- before, after or accompanying your body's disposition -- including such details as music, flowers and readings;
• If you want your body to be dressed in specific clothing and if you'd like any special objects to accompany you in your casket (-- crematoriums permit most items, but there may be some restrictions.);
• List the names of pallbearers, ushers and any people you'd like to have speak or read at your service as well as the person you'd like to have conduct the service;
• Express your wishes for your final resting place or where you'd like your ashes scattered or buried, as well as any marker you'd like to have.
• Whatever it is that matters to you with respect to your final arrangements, be sure to write it down.

Don't put your funeral instructions into your will; a will is often not read, or even located, for a few weeks after a death. And don't put the instructions into a safety deposit box either, because your friends may forget about it, or lack proper authorization to access it.