Personal Preplanning Funeral Form

Share this form with your pastor and loved ones to make planning your funeral easier.

Name: _____________________________ Phone: ____________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

I, ______________________________, request the following at the time of my death.

sign here

For the service witnessing to the resurrection (funeral)

___I do not wish to have a funeral or memorial service.

___ I would like a funeral or memorial service as detailed below.

1. I would like the following Scripture read. (Choose up to four passages.)

2. I would like the following hymns sung. (List up to three hymns. You only need to provide titles.)

3. I

___ would ___ would not like to have the Lord’s Supper celebrated at this service.

The Lord’s Supper can be a great source of strength and consolation to the grieving, and

makes the communion of the saints a visible reality.

4. Do you have any stories of your life or faith that you would like to have shared at this service?

(Use a separate sheet if necessary.)

5. Is there anything that you would like people to know as they worship at this service?

(Use a separate sheet if necessary.)

Does your family know of your last wishes? If not, you may wish to address the following. Please

note that this is not a legal document, but a record to convey your final wishes. One copy should be

given to family or friend and one copy to the church.

1. Name(s) of preferred individuals(s) to assist in arrangements (relative, friend, pastor, attorney):

Name: ____________________Address: _______________________Phone: _______________

2. Pastor to be called:

Name: ____________________Address: _______________________Phone: _______________

3. Mortician to be called:

Name: ____________________Address: _______________________Phone: _______________

Please check the following if it is your desire

4. Treatment of my body

___ That my body be sent to such medical, social, or scientific center as will accept it

(It is my responsibility to choose the institution or up to those who make my final

arrangements.)

___ That my body be made available for autopsy

___ That my body be cremated ___with embalming ___without embalming

5. Funeral home, Funeral, Memorial Service

___ That there ___ will be a viewing ___will not be a viewing

___ That a ___ public ___ private funeral be held at ___ church ___ funeral home

___ That I have discussed/instructed my family/friends as to the kind of casket and other

arrangements and cost (limit)

___ That a memorial service (i.e. body not being present) be held at __________________

___ That neither a funeral nor memorial service be held

6. Final disposition

___ That my ashes be preserved or disposed of in the following manner and

place:______________________________________________________

___ That my body be buried in the following location

___ It is my wish to donate whatever organs/parts of organs that are useful to the living

7. Contributions/Flowers

___ Flowers are desired

___ Organizations to which contributions may be sent

I understand that these are my instructions to my family and friends. I recognize my own

responsibility for advance consultation with the minister or mortician of my choice.

Signed:_______________________________________

Witness (preferably next of kin): ______________________________________

The following information is required for the death certificate. By filling this form out now, you can

spare your family an additional responsibility at the time of your death.

Name: __________________________________________________________

First Middle Last

Social Security #: ______________ Sex: ___M ___ F Race: ____________

Date of birth: ___/___/______ Citizen of what country: ____________________

Birthplace: __________________________ Armed Services: ____________________

___ Married ___Never Married ___Widowed ___Divorced

Usual residence: _______________________________________________________

City County State Country

Current street address: ________________________________________________

Street City State

Type of work done during working life (even if currently retired): ____________________

Father’s name: ________________________________________________

Mother’s maiden name: _________________________________________

Steven Shussett created this form to meet the typical needs of a pastor officiating at a funeral and to address standard

death and burial procedures. For additional details on death and burial concerns, see “Preparing for a Death in the

Family” by Cynthia O’Brien, in the March/April 2007 issue of Horizons, published by Presbyterian Women.

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and distribute this form.