Guide to Pre-Planning a Funeral

Preplan your funeral and enjoy a send-off on your terms

From music to burial wishes – finalise the details now, so your family doesn’t have to later

A final act of love for the people you care about most

Planning your funeral doesn't always mean that the end is near.

It simply means you’re being proactive and making sure everything is in place when the time does come. It’s a chance to make sure your final arrangements align with your wishes. Most importantly, it provides clarity and support for the people you love.

Your funeral preplanning checklist

Planning a funeral involves a lot of moving parts. Here’s a simple checklist of the most important things to think about. But there’s no pressure to complete every step on this list. If you have strong feelings about some things, great – make those decisions now. It’s perfectly okay to leave some of these items for your family to decide.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Funeral Service

Decide if you’d prefer to be buried, cremated, or have a natural burial. Whatever feels most like you.

Funeral Location

Think about where you’d like the service to be held – like a funeral home, a family property, or your local church.

Readings & Music

Pick the songs, poems, or quotes that you’d like to see included in the service.

Final Resting Place

Choose a burial plot, ashes interment location, or scattering site that feels meaningful to you.

Participants

Consider who you’d like to speak, carry the casket, or be part of any rituals.

Financial Planning

Decide whether you’d like to prepay for your funeral or have it handled after your passing.

Casket or Urn Selection

Explore different casket styles and finishes, or if you’re choosing cremation, find an urn that stands out to you.

Donations

Think about whether you’d like donations made to a favourite charity instead of flowers.

Legal & Paperwork

Make sure your will, powers of attorney, and other important documents are up-to-date and accessible to your family.

Funeral prepayment options

As part of planning ahead, some people choose to take care of the financial side of their funeral in advance. Prepaying for a funeral service is one more way to look after your loved ones and make things a little easier down the track.

If this feels right for you, we’re here to walk you through your options, simply and clearly.

I’d like to know more

Record your funeral wishes

Record-my-funeral-wishes-Academy-Funerals

We offer a simple planning form you can fill out online or print to include with your funeral pack. It’s a good idea to keep a copy with your will and let your family know where to find it, too.

Record my wishes

A gift for my family

Planning your funeral doesn't mean that the end is near.

It's just being proactive and ensuring everything is in place for when the time does come. Take control and make sure your final arrangements align with your wishes and provide clarity and support for the people you love. Download the FREE brochure below.

Download a gift for my family

Can't download or print? Let us know and we'll supply you with a copy.