Pre-Planning Checklist

For many, it feels like there’s an overwhelming amount of things to think about! But in all honesty, taking control of the important things in life just feels good; you know it's the right thing to do for you, and your family.

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 sectional crypt
• 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 in lieu of flowers, 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.

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 mortuaries. Remind your personal representative that the Social Security Administration will need to be called and, if you're receiving benefits such as those from the Veteran's Administration, they should be contacted as well.
• Designate a power of attorney 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.

Appointing A Representative

Who Needs a Funeral Agent?
If you think your relatives will not honor your funeral wishes or prearrangements, or if you are on bad terms with relatives, do not know where they are or do not have any relatives living, you should appoint someone you trust as your funeral agent.

The funeral agent option is the legal way for you to appoint a specific person to arrange your funeral.

Appointing a funeral agent is a good way to ensure that you get the funeral you want.

How to Appoint a Funeral Agent
In order to appoint someone as your funeral agent, you will need to visit an attorney. Inform the attorney you want to name a funeral agent in your will according to N.J.S.A. 45:27-22. The attorney will need to either draw up a new will or amend your existing will to include language similar to this:

Appointment of Funeral and Disposition Representative
"I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint [insert name] to serve as my Funeral and Disposition Representative, pursuant to P.L. 2003, c. 261. My Representative shall have the authority and power to control the arrangements for my funeral and the disposition of my remains. My Executor shall notify my Representative of this appointment, and shall advise my Representative of the financial means available to carry out the Funeral and Disposition arrangements. In the event [insert name] should predecease me or for some other reason not qualify to serve as my Funeral and Disposition Representative, then I nominate, constitute and appoint [insert name of alternate] as my Funeral and Disposition Representative.”