Pre-Planning Checklist

Prepare

Laying the foundation for a well thought out plan for you or a loved one takes a bit of time, but, it's worth every moment spent. After all, you’re setting the stage for a more relaxed and enjoyable life, because you’ll have the peace-of-mind preparedness brings. Here’s what to do to get started:

- Prepare a contact list of individuals who should be notified in a medical emergency or death.

- Write an obituary or simply jot down information you would like included in an obituary.

- Decide where obituary and memorial information should appear.

Choose the type of service you would like including the burial you prefer and make those arrangements. You will need to decide:

- Cemetery lot location

- Casket type; cremation urn type

- Vault or Concrete Container

- Type of service: religious, military, non-denominational, or fraternal

- The contact details for the funeral home you designate to care for you

- Pallbearers, music, flowers, scripture or other readings

- Charity to receive donations, if donations are preferred

- Select the speakers and the eulogies that you would want to represent you.

- Decide what organizations or church will benefit from memorial donations in your name.Steps for Preplanning

Preplanning your funeral is easier than you might think. Listed below are the steps involved in the preplanning process.

1.     Gather Your Personal Information

Before you begin to plan, it's important for you to consider how you want your life to be remembered. To help you with this process, Morizzo Funeral Home will help you with different options for Funerals. This thought-provoking guide allows you and your family to record how you would like your life to be remembered and celebrated.

2.     Make Arrangements

You can meet with a planning professional who will explain the various options available.

3.     Prefund Your Funeral

Lastly you will review prefunding payment options. Funeral expenses, like many other valuable services, increase over time. By prefunding at today's prices, you can be assured that the money will be there to cover future funeral costs.

In three easy steps you will be amazed at the peace of mind you will gain by going through this process.  Your family will appreciate your thoughtfulness to preplan and prefund for your end-of-life celebration.

 Items to Consider

 Below are some of the more common items people need to consider when planning a funeral. 

·         Choice of burial, entombment in a mausoleum, cremation (which can be before or after the service), or whole body donation to a scientific institution

·         Funeral home facilities and staff services

·         Viewing & visitation

·         Funeral service

·         Memorial service

·         Graveside service

·         Casket

·         Alternative container

·         Outer burial container

·         Cemetery arrangements

·         Transportation equipment and driver

o    transfer of the deceased

o    funeral vehicle/hearse

o    car/limousine

o    utility/service vehicle

·         Other services and merchandise

o    clergy honorarium

o    death certificates

o    musicians

o    temporary marker

o    stationery package

o    obituary notices

o    flowers

o    clothing

If this looks a bit overwhelming, don't worry, we have extensive experience in assisting people with these important choices and many other matters.

Arrange and Delegate

The people who know and care about you will be there when you need them. You only need to provide them with instructions, important financial details, and then relax. You’re in good hands.

- Give your Executor a copy of your Will. Safety deposit boxes are often opened up during the estate settlement process, long after the funeral. Any funeral planning documents therein can be of no help to your executor.

- Make sure your representative has a list of important account information or telephone numbers for retirement plans, insurance policies, investments, bank accounts, safe-deposit boxes, properties, preferred law and accountant firms and funeral homes. Remind your personal representative that the Social Security Administration will be notified by the funeral home; and in some cases they need to be notified; if you're receiving benefits such as those from the Veteran's Administration, they should be contacted as well.

- Designate a power of attorney and power of health care; to ensure that proper information can be accessed in the event of your illness or death. Make sure a durable power of attorney for health care and a living will are in place so that your wishes are carried out if you are unable to do so.

- Make arrangements for telephone and utilities services, and newspaper and magazine deliveries, to be cancelled.

Pay for:

- Cemetery and memorialization services

- Funeral arrangements, including clergy, florist and transportation

- Make arrangements for pets to find a new home.

You can also contact us for additional information. We're pleased to answer any questions you may have, without obligation.  We can alway be reached at 847-752-6444.