Planning your own funeral or memorial service: what to know
Death is often a taboo topic, but you might be surprised that planning your own memorial or funeral can actually give you a sense of peace and comfort. You may even feel relief knowing you’ve outlined all your preferences and taken some of the burden off your loved ones.
Can you plan your own funeral?
Yes, anyone can plan their own funeral or memorial.
Is it weird to plan your own funeral?
While it might feel strange at first, it’s not weird at all. In fact, it’s quite common for people to begin thinking ahead and making plans.
At what age should you start planning your funeral?
You can begin planning your own funeral at any age, but many start thinking about arrangements once they reach their 30s. But remember, any time is a good time to plan for your memorial service.
Why should you plan your own funeral?
Planning your own funeral can be a big help to those who are grieving. If you don’t make prior arrangements, your loved ones will be faced with many decisions while still processing their loss, which can cause added stress. Without a detailed plan from you, they may worry about covering the costs or stress over what kind of funeral you would have liked.
However, if you’ve already sorted out all the details, they can follow your plans with confidence, knowing they are fulfilling your final wishes. Your instructions will take the guesswork out of everything, giving your loved ones the space to grieve and focus on celebrating your life.
How to plan your own funeral service
The beauty of planning your own funeral is that, aside from the actual funeral date, you can arrange practically every detail in advance, from the cost of your final resting place to the prayers read at your service.
When you’re ready to begin making these decisions, follow the steps below for guidance.
1. Select your type of service
Give some special thought to the kind of service you’d like to have.
Are you picturing a funeral in your local church or a private graveside ceremony? Or, are you interested in not having a funeral at all? Maybe you’d rather have a memorial service without your body present or a celebration of life in which your loved ones spread your ashes.
What is the difference between these types of services?
- Funeral - typically held at a place of worship or funeral home with the body present
- Memorial service - a less formal affair and the body is usually not present
- Celebration of life - an informal event that focuses on the person’s life and has a more upbeat tone
- Ash spreading ceremony - when a body is cremated, the ash-spreading ceremony can take place anywhere (just remember to get any special permission required for the location)
How you envision this is entirely up to you, but it’s important that you convey your wishes in detail.