Planning Your Funeral
Since Senior Living’s ministry is focused on senior adults, we regularly meet with men and women who are nearing the end of life. And we’re often called upon to conduct funerals for our friends and supporters.
It’s often very difficult for family members to make decisions after the death of a loved one, so Senior Living has put together some helpful suggestions for planning your own funeral. This ensures your desires and wishes are carried out after your departure, and that your family and friends can avoid undue stress after you go home to be with the Lord.
Here are some helpful questions to consider:
- Do you wish to be cremated or be buried in a coffin? If you decide to be buried in a coffin, it might be good to check prices and perhaps pre-pay for this service. You’ll also want to decide if you want the casket open or closed.
- Where do you want your service held? At your church or a funeral home, or at an informal gathering with family and friends in someone’s home… or perhaps a room in your church?
- Whom do you want to be included in your service? Just family and friends, or everyone in a group you are a part of?
- Do you want a graveside service? This is usually reserved for family, and it’s nice to have it on a separate day, if possible.
- Whom do you want to moderate your service? A minister or friend? Ask them ahead of time if they would be willing to help in this way.
- Do you want to record the service?
- It’s nice to have a memorial folder that contains a picture and facts about the deceased, or just the order of the program, and words of a hymn or a poem.
- A guest book should be at the entrance of the room so the guests may sign. Perhaps a grandchild could take care of this.
- How do you want the service to be concluded? Do you want to emphasize the plan of salvation?
- In lieu of flowers, do you have a special organization or charity where your guests could send their gifts?
- After the service, do you want a reception?
- Do you have a favorite Scripture verse or passage?
- Is there a special song or music that you would like played or sung?
- Whom would you like to give your eulogy? This could be your children, grandchildren, or a dear friend.
Facts about you:
- Vocation
- Qualities
- Special sayings
- Favorite poem
- Nickname(s). What did your grandchildren and friends call you?
- What would you like said about you?
Aside from your service, these are some of the other things that would be helpful:
- A list of friends to contact (your children may not know all of your friends) upon your departure. It would be helpful to include phone numbers and perhaps their email addresses.
- A list of your favorite pieces of jewelry and whom you would like to have them.
- Any other special items that you would like family or friends to have and enjoy.
Be sure to write out these instructions or share them with a loved one.