Let’s imagine that you know what type of funeral you want and where it will be. You may have also decided some sort of order of service including your life story, favourite songs, favourite poems and favourite photos.

The other major information a funeral director will ask of your family is the finer details of your funeral…i.e. your coffin, your personal preparation and appearance.

For many, these are some of the hardest questions as they involve someone having close physical contact with your body.

All of these finer details may be impacted by the location and the way in which you died but nonetheless, they will still be asked of your loved ones unless you have a direct cremation or direct burial (where there is no funeral service).

To make things easier for your loved ones, it is helpful to make some decisions (if you can) with regards to:

•  Your Coffin / casket – type of coffin / casket, coffin / casket lining, items to be included in the coffin / casket, items to be placed on top of the coffin / casket
•  Your physical appearance – make up, hairstyle, clothing, underwear, footwear, jewellery, accessories, spectacles
•  Embalming – usually the hardest of all questions to answer for loved ones. Embalming involves the use of chemicals to stall the process of decomposition thus preserving your body for a longer period of time.

 

Where should I record this information?

On the TellThem4Me website, you can complete a free ICE File – part of this ICE File details the finer details of your funeral. Alternatively, you can use the My Wishes section of a TellThem4Me membership to record your information. Once completed, you can update this at any time and allow up to 3 Nominees to view your information which they will wish to know at a time when you can’t communicate

If you don’t wish to use TellThem4Me® then You can download one of many free checklists or guides from the internet and make notes with regards to the finer details of your funeral before storing your document somewhere safe. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones!

 

I don’t have any preference, what should I do?

Not having a preference is still a preference and a decision that is worthy of sharing with your loved ones. Instead of them wondering if a decision is ok, they can be sure that it didn’t really matter as you had made sure that they knew that.