Planning for the end of life is never easy, but including your funeral and memorial wishes in your estate plan can relieve a major burden from your loved ones. When your family is grieving, decisions about burial or cremation, service preferences, or even the type of obituary you’d like can feel overwhelming. However, by documenting these choices in advance, you not only help to ensure your wishes are honored but also give your family clarity and comfort.

Express your wishes

First, make your wishes known to family members. This typically includes instructions about where you’re to be buried or cremated, the type of memorial service you prefer (if any), and even the clothing you’ll be buried in. If you don’t have a next of kin or would prefer someone else to oversee arrangements, you can appoint another representative.

Be aware that the methods for expressing these wishes vary from state to state. With the help of your attorney, you can include a provision in your will, language in a health care proxy or power of attorney, or a separate form specifically designed for communicating your desired arrangements.

Whichever method you use, it should, at a minimum, state 1) whether you prefer burial or cremation, 2) where you wish to be buried or have your ashes interred or scattered (and any other special instructions), and 3) the person you’d like to be responsible for making these arrangements. Some people also request a specific funeral home.

Weigh your payment options

There’s a division of opinion in the financial community as to whether you should prepay funeral expenses. If you prepay and opt for a “guaranteed plan,” you lock in the prices for the arrangements, no matter how high fees may escalate before death. With a “nonguaranteed plan,” prices aren’t locked in, but the prepayment accumulates interest that may be put toward any rising costs.

When weighing whether to use a prepaid plan, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that you ask the following questions:

• What happens to the money you’ve prepaid?
• What happens to the interest income on prepayments placed in a trust account?
• Are you protected if the funeral provider goes out of business?

Before signing off on a prepaid plan, learn whether there’s a cancellation clause in the event you change your mind.

One alternative that avoids the pitfalls of prepaid plans is to let your family know your desired arrangements and set aside funds in a payable-on-death (POD) bank account. Simply name the person who’ll handle your funeral arrangements as the beneficiary. When you die, he or she will gain immediate access to the funds without the need for probate.

Incorporate your wishes into your estate plan

Thoughtful planning today can provide lasting peace of mind for the people you care about most. Don’t wait to incorporate your wishes into your estate plan — or to update your plan if needed. 

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