Should I Plan More Than One Memorial Service?
Planning for final expenses such as a memorial service and burial (or cremation) service is an important part of your estate planning process. You and your attorney should discuss the benefits of pre-purchasing these services and including them in the total estate package. In addition, when you pre-plan your memorial service and final resting place, you relieve your family of the these difficult decisions immediately following your passing.
If you have more than one residence, or you have several groups of friends around the country, consider pre-paying for several memorial services. Generally, you can count on one local friend to head up the planning process once you’ve passed away.
In an effort to make the memorial service easy to plan, include some suggestions in an addendum to your will. You can include suggestions such as your favorite songs, poems, and photographs. You can also include a final statement to be read at the memorial services.
This kind of planning can also be a good way to help you come to terms with your own death. And if you can, include some key friends and family in the process. Although the prospect of planning your memorial services might feel grim, you can create lasting memories with those closest to you.
