Cremations are becoming an increasingly popular option for many people. The benefits of this option include lower cost and the lack of need for burial plots. If you are considering pre-planning your funeral, and cremation is an option, you will need to consider several aspects of the planning process. This process can be stressful, especially when you begin to consider all the options and budgeting those options. If this is the situation you are in, here are several ways to reduce the stress of the process. 

Cremation Checklist 

One of the first steps you can take to reducing the stress of planning your cremation is with a checklist. The checklist can keep you in track with any paperwork you need to file. It can also be a checklist of phone calls you need to make. You may find there are some steps during the planning process that you did not consider. These can also go on the checklist. By having this checklist you will know what has been done, who you need to call, and what steps to take next. This will take the guesswork out of the process and reduce stress. 

Intentions and Documentation

No matter what type of ceremony you choose to have, you will have certain things you want. These intentions, such as the music or if you even want a memorial service, should be documented. This takes the stress out of the planning for not only you, but also for any family members that may be handling the final arrangements for your cremation ceremony. The documentation will give a clear path of your wants and final desires for the ceremony. 

Copies of Ceremony Selections

If you decide to have a cremation ceremony or memorial service, you will likely have music or a speaker. If you choose music or have a speech in mind for someone, you can reduce the stress of last-minute planning by having copies of these ceremony selections set aside. Leave instructions in your documentation and intentions telling the person handling your final preparations for the location of these copies and how they are to be used. 

When you are ready to discuss your cremation pre-planning, contact your local cremation services director or funeral director. They can assist you with questions you have and with any issues you may have in the planning process. The director can also help with options their cremation establishment offers.