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Preplanning Checklist

Preplanning Checklist

The following checklist will help you create your personalized plan.

Remember...

There’s no need to make all the decisions right away and it can be changed or updated at any time. For personalized assistance in creating your plan, contact one of our experts to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

Ways to Plan Ahead:

 

General

  • Contact our funeral home for an appointment.
  • Gather personal information for your obituary.
  • Make note of any instructions for your services and final disposition and select a representative to carry out your wishes. 
  • Choose a charity to direct donations to, if desired.

Funeral Service

  • Choose type of Service - burial or cremation.
  • Choose whether or not to have a viewing.
  • Select a casket, vault, temporary casket, cremation urn/keepsakes container(s), memorial jewelry if applicable.
  • Choose locations & types of services (see services offered).
  • Choose floral arrangements or types of flowers.
  • Select photo(s) (for obituary/social media/funeral home website/memorial cards/display at service) and other memorabilia if applicable.
  • Consider any customs, traditions, or religious rites that are important to you and your family.
  • Choose the clothing you’d like to be dressed in. Be sure to include undergarments and socks. When selecting other articles, it is preferred to select long sleeves and a high collar, footwear is optional. 
  • Decide if you will be buried with any articles such as jewelry or other memorablia or if they should be given to a designated person after the funeral service. 
  • Select music and songs, if desired.
  • Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family if applicable. 
  • Select Transportation (hearse, limousine,horse drawn glass funeral carriage) if applicable.

Participants

  • Choose a clergy member or officiator to preside over the service. We can provide recommendations if needed. 
  • Select any musicians whose talents you’d like to employ.
  • Select pallbearers.
  • Choose friends or family members to perform the eulogy, read scripture, or prepare a speech.

Final Disposition

  • Choose a cemetery.
  • Select a burial plot, mausoleum, or niche.
  • Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription (from the cemetery).
  • Decide who will keep your urn or scatter your ashes and where.

Information You'll Need


Personal Information

  • Your father’s name
  • Your mother’s maiden name
  • Your highest level of education
  • Your social security number
  • Your date of birth
  • Your state and country of birth
  • Your full legal name and address
  • Your Occupation
  • Your contact person/next of kin to complete yoru arrangements
  • Cemetery paperwork or information about the final resting place
  • Clergy name and number
  • Names and relationships of survivors for obituary
  • Insurance policy information if using to pay for funeral expenses

Affiliations

  • Fraternal organizations
  • Service organizations
  • Union memberships
  • Any special recognitions or awards you have

Military Service Information

  • Military service
  • Branch rank
  • Date of enlistment
  • Date of discharge
  • Name(s) of war/conflict(s) toured
  • Serial number
  • Need DD-214
  • Contact person to receive your military flag after services (generally your spouse or designated child)

Schaff Funeral Service
Phone: (414) 541-7533
Fax: (414) 541-7570
5920 West Lincoln Ave., West Allis, WI 53219

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