(ARA) - Though it's not a topic most of us want to think about, planning for what happens after your death and understanding your options can reduce the stress on grieving loved ones. Making decisions now about what happens when you're gone can help assure those left behind that your wishes are being honored.

"The death of a loved one is always stressful. Fortunately, preplanning is something you can do now to help your family," says funeral director Mark McGilley with the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cemetery and cremation providers. "Often, family members and friends are unsure of the answers and worry about making poor choices. Preplanning can help your family make better choices and significantly reduces the number of difficult decisions that traditionally confront loved ones at a time of loss."

Preplanning helps to answer questions like:
* Did she want a traditional funeral with burial?
* Didn't he say he wanted to be cremated?
* Should we have the service at the funeral home or our church?
* What music should be played?

Step 1) Decide on the Service
Deciding on the type of service you want is a great step towards feeling confident that your wishes will be fulfilled. Traditional services generally have a visitation at a funeral home and a funeral service. These services are most common, but options are changing. Funeral homes are responding to the demand for customized, complete services. Spend some time deciding what type service you want, if it should it have religious elements, if it should be intimate or large, and if there are any unique requests that can be accommodated.

Another important element to discuss is body disposition. Will you have a burial or cremation? A cemetery plot should be purchased if you are having an in-ground burial; a mausoleum crypt for above ground. If cremation is the choice, plan the disposition of the ashes. Will the ashes remain with someone, be stored or buried, or scattered somewhere?

Step 2) Shop Around
Don't think that your local funeral home is your only option. Investigating different funeral homes is an important part of planning a funeral. After you have decided what type of ceremony you want, you should be able to work with a funeral director and ask all the questions you need.

It is appropriate to ask for a price listing. Many funeral homes offer package funerals that may cost less than purchasing individual items or services. Remember, it's your funeral, have it done the way you want. The sky is the limit, so the funeral homes of today should be able to accommodate your requests.

Step 3) Choose a Funeral Home
Choose a home that fits your budget and is willing to work with you on your requests. It is important that you are comfortable with your decision, so choose the home that you trust most. Never feel uncomfortable asking questions, a good funeral director understands this process is not something people do every day and should be able to assist you and make you feel comfortable.

Many funeral homes are able to offer specialized services that help during this difficult time. Because funerals are an investment of time and money, ask about the transferability of your funeral plans. For example, the Dignity Memorial National Transferability allows prearranged funerals to be fully transferable across their North American Network. So if life takes you to a different location, your plans will transfer.

Step 4) Understand Your Funding Options
Know that you do not need to prepay in order to preplan your funeral. Simply sharing a written record of your final wishes with family and friends relieves them of the burden of making difficult decisions regarding your final arrangements. If you do choose to prefund your prearrangement, you can lock in today's prices for products and services that likely will be more expensive in the future. Work with a funeral professional to understand your state's particular laws and regulations that protect preneed funds, and select a funeral provider that provides its own guarantee of your funds' protection.

Regardless of whether or not you fund your prearrangement, preplanning your funeral ensures that your services will be as you would have wanted and relieves your loved ones of additional stress at a trying time. For more information about funeral planning, visit www.DignityMemorial.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent