How to Make Your Funeral Wishes Known to Your Loved Ones

The Final Arrangement Documents You Need for Your Funeral Wishes

Updated on May 13, 2022

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The Balance / Julie Bang

Your final arrangements go beyond what you want to happen to your property, although that should be written down in a last will and testament or a revocable living trust. You must also include what type of funeral arrangements you want and what should happen to your remains after you're gone.

Creating a final arrangements document can ensure your final wishes are carried out upon your death and ease the burden of making those difficult decisions for your loved ones.

How to Make Your Wishes Known

The best way to let your loved ones know about your funeral wishes is to write down a list of specific instructions in a document that is separate from your will or trust. This separate writing should include details about what should and should not be done so your family doesn't have to second guess what you would have wanted to happen.

The type of information to record in your final arrangements document includes:

Whether you want a funeral or memorial service
Where the service should be held
Who should be specifically notified of your death
Whether you want to be cremated or buried
Where you would like your ashes stored or disposed of or where you want to be buried
If you have money set aside to pay for your final expenses and where it is

You never know when your time is up so don't wait to put your wishes in writing. It is also important to let your loved ones know that you have created this separate document and where it is being stored. This way, they can access it at the appropriate time.

Where to Record Your Final Wishes

When you think of your final wishes, it makes sense that a last will and testament comes to mind. You can include your funeral arrangements in your will or trust, but it should not be the only place where you list your final wishes.

Having a last will and testament or revocable living trust is an important part of your estate planning because it's where you record how you want your property to be distributed after you die. Those documents should also include who should be in charge of making sure your property goes where you want it to go.

Usually, by the time your will or trust is located, your loved ones will have already made all of the decisions about the disposition of your remains and memorial. You should have a separate document detailing your funeral arrangements and tell your family about it while you're still alive to ensure your wishes are carried out.

You can also store your funeral arrangements online. Websites such as Parting Wishes, Afternote, and the Last Wishes app can be used for documenting and storing your funeral arrangements as well as your will or trust and other estate planning documents.

If you are not inclined to write down your final wishes or document them online, consider talking to your loved ones about what you want to happen when you die. It could be as simple as saying that you would never want to be buried or you would never want to be cremated. This will go a long way to ease stress and anxiety during a difficult time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who handles funeral arrangements after a death?

You can specify the person who will be in charge of your funeral arrangements in your will, such as a trusted relative or the executor of your estate. Otherwise, the state may put the person with your medical power of attorney in charge of what will happen to your body. If you don't name someone in either role, most states will designate your next of kin as the person legally allowed to make choices about what will happen. This is usually a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.

How much does a funeral cost?

How much a funeral costs depends on the type of arrangements you make and where you live. Burial is typically more expensive than cremation, and adding on viewing services at a funeral home increases the costs. National averages range from about $5,000 to nearly $10,000, with cemetery plots and headstones adding additional costs. Green burial, which is done in a simple casket or shroud without embalming or a vault, can be less expensive. Costs can range from $2,000 to $8,000.

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