How to Prepare for Your Own Death and Funeral!

Vital Statistics and Data:
You would be surprised at the number of people who don't know their parent's address, correct date of birth or even their grandparent's full name. Gather this information in a notebook:
Full Name, Address, Birthplace, Date of birth, Social Security number, Marital status, Husband or wife of, Children names and date of birth, Father's name, birth date and birthplace (city and state) Mother's full maiden name, birth date and birthplace (city and state)
To assure accurate vital statistics, keep a copy of your official birth certificate and social security card with this person information.

Personal Data:
Year moved to current address
Education: High school attended Graduated date, colleges attended, dates of graduation and degrees
Occupation: Employed by or retired from and any additional employment information you want known.
Church Membership or Affiliation
Heritage/Ancestry
Veteran: Yes or No
Branch of Service
Date enlisted
Serial number
Date of discharge
Location of discharge papers
Last rank
Additional military information:
Other Professional/Fraternal/Charitable/Social Organizations
**Veteran Note: It is helpful if a copy of the veteran's discharge and form DD214 are stored with this personal profile!!!

People to Notify::
List Full name, address, phone number and relationship to this person!

Personal Records:
Bank Accounts Checking and Savings
Name of bank, Type of account, Address, Phone number, Account number
Safe Deposit Box:
Name of bank, Address, Telephone, In whose name? Location of key

Insurance Policies: I have the following policies...
Company, Policy number, Name of insured, Amount of benefit, Beneficiary, Location of policies
Pension Plan: Name of company, address
Real Estate Owned: Address, Location of Deeds and Titles, other documents related to the real estate

Location of Important Papers:
Automobile Registration
Birth Certificate
Income Tax Records
Marriage Certificate/Divorce certificate
Last Will and Testament Original
Last Will and Testament Copy
Stocks and Bonds
Attorney's Name, Address, Phone number
Accountant's Name, Address, Phone number
Executor's Name, Address, Phone number
Real Estate Broker's name, Address, Phone number
Stockbroker's Name, Address, Phone Number
Authorized persons to arrange final details of funeral (chose two!)
Additional information: Think! Think! Think! Where have you stuck keys and items that will need to be dug out!

Funeral Service Choices:
Take a tour through the local funeral homes! You don't have to put money down or decide anything right then, but you need to know options.
Choice of funeral home, name, address and phone number
Type of service, Catholic, protestant, new age etc.
Location of service, name address and phone
Officiate, Clergy, other: Name, address and phone.
Other speakers or readers at service: Name, address and phone numbers
Participating Organization: Fraternal or Military
Pallbearers: Name, Address, phone numbers Choose more than necessary!
Honorary Pallbearers: Name, Address, and phone numbers.
Obituary: Yes or No, Photo attached? Name of newspaper, address.
Family Visitation: yes or no
Public Visitation: Yes or no
Casket: Open or closed
Casket type: Steel, Copper, Bronze, Wood, other
Casket Color:
Interior Color:
Flag: Yes or No, Folded or Draped
Clothing:
From current wardrobe or new
Jewelry:
Stay on, Yes or No Return to:
Preference of Flowers:
Memorials: Full name and mailing address
Favorite Poetry, scriptures or other readings
Music:
Items to Display: Collection of Family Photographs, Favorite possessions, Family mementos, Awards received
Special Items to be placed in casket:

Cremation:
Urn: Wood, Metal, Steel, Copper, Bronze, other
Disposition of Remains:
Earth burial, Entombment, Kept by the family, Scattering, other
Special instructions if kept by family:
Special instructions for scattering:
If Earth Burial:
Outer Burial Container: Yes or No
Concrete, Steel, Bronze, Other
Exterior Color
Inscription
Name of Cemetery:
Location:
Lot in name of:
Section:
Lot:
Block:
Plot:
Inscription for memorial marker:
If Entombment:
Name of Columbarium, Location, Inscription for memorial marker