10 Planning Tips

1. Know what you have
Keep a notebook of important end-of-life information, including detailed information concerning funeral plans, cremation or burial preferences, organ donation information, insurance benefits, veteran's benefits and a copy of your will and other estate-planning documents. make sure the information is current easy to locate.

2. Share information
Make a copy of your important end-of-life information for the person most likely to handle your final affairs. Prepare a simple letter and distribute it to all other close family members to give them a general idea of your intentions and to let them know which family members and outside advisers (such as your attorney) have more detailed information.

3. Pick your funeral home
Leave clear instructions about which funeral home to call and which services should be requested. If a confused caretaker or out-of-town relative calls the wrong mortuary, hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars of unnecessary expenses may be incurred. In selecting a funeral home, consider not just location and price, but also its reputation and the likelihood it will still be in business when services are needed. If you have selected direct burial or direct cremation, the distance to the funeral home may not be significant, so don't ignore facilities outside your immediate neighborhood. People's Memorial members should leave a list of all our contracted funeral homes available.  In the event that death should occur away from the prefered funeral home, next-of-kin can select one that works best for them.

4. Learn about cremation and burial expenses
Be aware of the cost of the funeral, cremation or burial expenses you have selected. Pay attention to "hidden" costs, such as casket and urn prices, transportation fees, refrigeration costs, charges for preparing the death certificate, the cost of certified copies of the death certificate, charges for services performed outside of normal business hours, and expenses for flowers, clergy, musicians, and memorial cards or books. If you are using a cemetery or mausoleum, be aware of opening and closing costs, vaults and grave liners, administrative fees, engraving costs and fees for placement of markers. If a family member is a veteran, consider using a national cemetery. If you have chosen cremation, consider scattering the cremated remains at a favorite location.

5. Indicate health care preferences
Consult your doctor and attorney concerning forms and procedures to use for healthcare decisons when you are disabled or otherwise not able to decide for yourself. You will probably want to sign a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and a Directive to Physician (Living Will). Depending on your medical condition, a Do Not Resuscitate Order may also be appropriate. Your health care provider or attorney can assist you in obtaining these forms and advise you where to file copies. (Make copies for yourself and family as well.)

6. Select a financial manager
At some point, you may not be able to care for your own financial affairs. Providing a trusted friend or family member with a General and Durable Power of Attorney will allow that person to manage your financial affairs. You may want to talk to an attorney about setting up a Living Trust and designating a trustee to manage your property. These procedures may avoid the expense and trouble of having the court designate a Legal Guardian if you become disabled. Many senior centers provide workshops discussing these options.

7. Have a memorial service without the body present
Consider direct cremation or direct burial to avoid the expense of having a body embalmed and to avoid the need for an expensive casket. Following the cremation or burial, the family should be encouraged to hold a simple memorial service in a home, place of worship or community hall. Give friends and family a chance to share memories and receive support from one another. The Funeral Consumer's Alliance offers some detailed planning suggestions.

8. Be cautious about pre-paid funeral plans
There are many salespeople in the funeral industry who will try to convince you to pay in advance for cremation, funeral and/or burial arrangements. For those who are disabled or about to go on Medicaid, this might make sense. For many others, it may not be the best choice. In evaluating this decision, consider:

• The cost of paying in advance as compared to paying at death, taking into account you will lose any investment income from the money spent.
• The possibility that the funeral home may go out of business or be bought out by another company.
• You may need to move to another area of the state or country. Will the funeral plan travel with you?
• Who will know you have pre-paid and exactly what you paid for? Make certain at least two other people have copies of the paperwork and are prepared to make sure the contract is fulfilled.
• Are the prices "locked in" or could they change? Are prices guaranteed if death occurs outside the local area?
• Is the price reasonable and the package of services complete? Obtaining a detailed list of what is included and comparison shopping will help answer this question.
• Who will know what you have selected? Will the funeral home keep a detailed record of your requests and provide a copy to you for your family?
• Prepayment to yourself. Rather than giving your money to a funeral home or insurance company, consider setting up a bank account which will pay on death to the person you designate to take care of your final arrangements. You will retain full control of your money and earn interest as well.

9. Sign a Disposition Authorization form before you die
If you live in Washington or another state which allows it, designate in writing whether you are selecting body burial or cremation and authorize the funeral home to implement your wishes without further authorization forms from family members. In Washington, you can also select the person authorized to pick up cremated remains. File this form with your important papers and make sure your next of kin has a copy and knows where the original is located. The original copy will need to be presented to the funeral home when arrangements are made. If cremation is desired and the form is not signed before death, authorization forms must be signed by next-of-kin. This may be a surviving spouse, but often requires the signature of every living child, even if they are not in the area or did not have a close relationship with the parent.  Properly signing the Disposition Authorization before time of death can save your survivors a great deal of hassel and stress as well as assure that your wishes are honored.

10. Join a funeral consumers organization
People's Memorial Association was founded in Seattle in 1939 to help ordinary people make sensible end-of-life decisions. This was the beginning of the funeral consumer movement in the United States. Today, thousands of people in Western and Central Washington are members of People's Memorial and many thousands more are members of other affiliates of the Funeral Consumers Alliance. Members are assisted in planning their final arrangements, receive educational materials and planning forms, and are helped to obtain good prices for funeral and cremation services. Membership fees are very reasonable.