This review list is intended to educate you about this document and to assist you in preparing it. Death instructions are a sensible and valuable tool for assisting a family through the difficult adjustment of losing a loved one. I believe it is critical to choose a single person to handle the details so that the family does not get into a large squabble over who should do what, what the deceased would have truly desired, and so on and so forth.
- Make several copies. Maintain one with each duplicate of your will.
Death Instructions
Death Instructions
To assist my survivors in making arrangements at the time of my death, I provide the following information:
1.NOTIFICATION. I desire that my clergyperson, ____________, of ______________be contacted immediately in order to offer assistance and comfort to my survivors.
2. FUNERAL HOME/DIRECTOR. I desire that ______________ of ________________
be consulted in making the arrangements requested in this document. The arrangements have been made and are attached to this document as Exhibit 1.3. TREATMENT OF BODY. I desire that my body be buried in _________, Lot Number/Location: ______________. Arrangements have been made and are attached in Exhibit 2.
4.SERVICES. I desire that the following service(s) be held: ______________________
a. Visitation. A visitation at _______________________, for anyone desiring to attend. The body may be present.
Music. It is my desire to include the following music selection(s) at my visitation:
_____________________________.
Readings. It is my desire to include the following readings at my visitation:
________________________b. Memorial Service. A memorial service at ___________________________
for anyone desiring to attend. The body may be present.
Music. It is my desire to include the following music selections at my memorial
service: _________________________________________.
Readings. It is my desire to include the following reading(s) at my memorial service: _________________________________________.
Speakers. I would like the following people to speak: ____________________.c. Funeral Service. A funeral service at _________, for anyone desiring to attend. The body may be present.
Music. It is my desire to include the following music selections at my memorial
service: _________________________________________.
Readings. It is my desire to include the following reading(s) at my memorial service: _________________________________________.
Speakers. I would like the following people to speak: ____________________.5. FLOWERS & MEMORIAL. I request that donations be made to the organizations listed below in lieu of flower: ___________________________-.
6. CASKET/CONTAINER. I have selected my casket/container on a prearranged basis with the funeral director named in #2 above.
7.PALLBEARERS. I would like the following persons to serve as pallbearers: _____________________________________________________________.
8.OTHER WISHES. I would like a marker placed on my gravesite as listed in the instructions left with the Funeral Director in #2 above. I would like an obituary notice similar to the one attached in Exhibit 3 used and sent to the following periodicals: _________________________________________________.
9. PERSON TO HANDLE THESE DETAILS. Given the other issues surrounding my death, I suggest that ___________ be appointed to handle the administration of the above events. This will remove pressure from the family and create a less stressful series of events.
I have given careful thought and consideration to these instructions. I understand that this declaration is not legally binding, and that the ultimate decision will be made by my survivors based on the circumstances at the time of my death. I hope that my desires will be fulfilled, to the extent possible.
Dated:
______________________
Signature:
Death Instructions
Review ListThis review list is provided to inform you about this document and assist you in its preparation. Death instructions are a wise and useful tool to assist a family to transition through their grief. Especially important, I think, is to appoint one person to oversee the details so the family does not get into a major conflab about who is to do what, what the deceased would have really wanted, and so on and so on.
1. Make multiple copies. Keep one with each copy of your will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a death instructions document?
A death instructions document is a written record that provides information to assist survivors in making arrangements at the time of death. It includes details such as whom to notify, which funeral home to consult, how the body should be treated, and what services should be held. The document is intended to guide loved ones through the planning process.
Who should be contacted immediately after a death according to the death instructions?
The death instructions specify that a clergyperson should be contacted immediately to offer assistance and comfort to the survivors. The document includes a blank for the clergyperson's name and affiliation. This notification is the first step listed in the instructions.
How do I choose a funeral home or director in my death instructions?
The death instructions provide a space to name the funeral home or director you wish to be consulted. You should write the name and location of the funeral home or director in the designated blanks. The arrangements made with them can be attached as Exhibit 1 to the document.
What does the death instructions say about the treatment of the body?
The death instructions state a desire for the body to be buried in a specified location, with a blank for the cemetery and lot number or location. Arrangements for the burial can be attached as Exhibit 2. The document does not include other treatment options such as cremation.
What types of services can be specified in the death instructions?
The death instructions allow for the specification of a visitation and a memorial service. For each, you can indicate the location and whether the body may be present. You can also include music selections and readings for the visitation.
Can I include music and readings in my death instructions?
Yes, the death instructions include sections for music selections and readings at the visitation. You can list your desired music and readings in the provided blanks. This helps personalize the service according to your wishes.
What is the purpose of Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 in the death instructions?
Exhibit 1 contains the arrangements made with the funeral home or director. Exhibit 2 contains the arrangements made for the burial. These exhibits are attached to the death instructions to provide detailed information to survivors.
Is a memorial service included in the death instructions?
Yes, the death instructions include a section for a memorial service. You can specify the location for the memorial service and indicate whether the body will be present. The document allows for a memorial service for anyone desiring to attend.
How detailed should my death instructions be?
The death instructions provide blanks for specific information such as names, locations, and selections. You should fill in these details as completely as possible to assist your survivors. The document also allows for attaching additional arrangements as exhibits.
What should I do with my completed death instructions?
The death instructions do not specify what to do with the completed document. However, it is implied that the document should be kept in a place where survivors can easily find it. You may also want to inform your loved ones of its location.
