HED 115 - Death and Dying
“Funeral Planning”Assignment
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to incorporate concepts learned in
class with personal preferences for end of life. This document is for your survivors and can
make the arrangements easier for loved-ones following your death. It can also open the
door to discussion while living, and decrease anxiety related to facing death.
Required: Typewritten, proof-read. Each response must be numbered/lettered. All
questions must be answered completely unless listed as “optional”. Follow Specific
Directions below.
Specific Directions:
1. Use information from the Death and Dying course, along with your own personal
preferences, to complete your “Prearrangement Document”. (You may change the
title of the document to a title of your choosing.) Take some time to determine what
you would want. The more specific you can be, the more helpful it will be for those
making your arrangements.
2. Write this assignment for your survivors in the present, so that it could be
applicable and useful if your death were to occur tomorrow. For example, if you do
not currently have a spouse or children, do not write anything about them in this
document. (You can always update and revise the document in the future.)
3. You must respond to all items on the original Funeral Prearrangement Document
form unless it is identified as “optional”.
o If there is something that does not apply to you, for example, if you do not
wish to have calling hours, state that you do not wish to have calling hours in
that space.
o You may state that an item is “up to the family or another specific
person” only ONE TIME. Your preferences must be stated in all other cases.
o You aren’t limited to one option for your arrangements. For example, you
could state you would prefer either natural burial or cremation. However, you
must provide follow up information for both options in subsequent questions
if you give more than one preference.
o You can be creative and choose plans that reflect your personality, however,
be sure to consider whether the funding and resources needed would be
realistic for your survivors.
4. Read all questions carefully and delete directions prior to turning in. Be sure
that each response is complete so that it makes sense to the reader.
(A cover page with this information is required, however, you may change the title to read “Funeral Wishes”, “PostDeath Wishes”, or whatever you feel is appropriate. – Delete this text before turning in.)
For:__________________(your name)
Born:____________(DOB)
Place of Birth:___________________________
1. Write a message to your survivors here that introduces the document and explains the
benefits of preparing such a document. Sample text: I am outlining my wishes for
arrangements following my death. The benefits of preparing this document are... Delete
instructions prior to turning in your assignment.
2. a.Organ Donation: Describe at least one point regarding organ donation learned in class that your
survivors may find helpful and/or interesting.
b. My philosophy and wishes regarding Organ Donation:
(Note: Be sure to make relatives aware of your preferences for organ donation while you are living if you are not going to
share this document prior to death.)
3. a.Wishes Regarding Your Body Disposition - I would like my body to be: (buried, cremated,
entombed, donated to science)
b. Location: I would like my body/ashes to be (buried/placed/entombed/scattered/donated) in/to the
following location(s): *If body is being donated to science, note location of organization and paperwork and wishes
for cremains that will be returned to the family following donation. In many cases, this paperwork must be completed prior
to death.
c. Quotes – Explain the benefits of researching costs and providing price quotes. Provide
two quotes from two different local sources for at least three of the following, including source
contact info. (cremation, green burial, traditional burial, cemetery plot, mausoleum crypt,
columbarium niche, headstone) Discuss which quotes apply to your wishes and which do not.
4. a. Body Preservation Options: Describe the options for body preservation (refrigeration,
embalming, dry ice) including regulations and legal aspects of body preservation options.
b. Provide at least two local quotes with contact info for at least two preservation options.
c. My Preferences and philosophy or rationale for body preservation are:
5. a. Discuss Pros and Cons of Calling Hours and Viewing Options: (None, Private or Public,
Location, Duration, Open or Closed Casket)
b.Quotes for calling hours – Obtain from at least two local providers with contact info.
c.My preferences regarding calling hours and viewing options:
6. Containers for Body Disposition - a. Describe regulations and legal aspects regarding containers
for body disposition (casket, urn, cardboard container, burial vault, etc)
7.
b. Quotes for containers (choose two container options and provide at least two quotes
from two vendors and contact information for each)
8.
c. My preferences regarding containers for body disposition.
7. I would like a:
ne
b.Wording and/or Design for Plaque/Headstone: (Optional)
8. Presentation Details for Viewing and/or Body Disposition (Clothing, Jewelry, Mortuary Goods)
and explanation of the meaning of your preferences. (Example: I would like to be wearing the
watch I was given for graduation. Since it was given to me by Grandma and Grandpa, it would
make me feel good to know that it is with me.)
9. a.Service Options: Discuss different types of services that could be utilized.
b. My preferences regarding service options and location.
10. Suggested Pallbearers (if needed):
11. Preferred Readings and Suggested Readers (these can be religious readings, or simply poems, or other
writings):
12. Eulogies – a. Explain what a eulogy is and the benefits of eulogies.
b.Suggested eulogist(s)
13. Favorite sayings, quotes, jokes, scriptures, poems, mottos, or stories about yourself that may be
helpful to speakers at your service or that you would want people to remember. This response must be
at least two paragraphs. This item CANNOT be left up to the family for this assignment.
14. Music: a. Discuss the use of music in relation to calling hours and services.
b. My preferences regarding particular music and when it should be played:
15. Photos/Displays: Describe wishes you have for particular photos or displays.
16. a.Discuss any causes or organizations that you favor.
b.Donation Preferences: Provide information regarding a cause or organization that you would
like donations from a friend or family member to be directed toward, in your name. (Frequently, an
obituary will note that donations to X organization could be made in lieu of flowers.)
17. Financial Considerations: Explain your philosophy and preferences with regard to finances
related to your arrangements. What price range do you think is reasonable for your arrangements?
What aspects are most important to you. Also, include reference to any funds that you have set
aside, or pre-paid arrangements you already have in place.
18. Persons To Be Contacted Regarding Death - (other than family members - that you would want to know
about your upcoming service) Provide the location of Contact Info if you do not want to list contacts
within this document. Note: If your cell phone log is your only source of contacts, create a back
up source and name the location in the event that your cell phone is destroyed or cannot be located.
19. Important Papers (Document type, location of contact info and paperwork) Examples: Financial
accounts, insurance documents, will, titles, military discharge papers, other) (Optional):
20. Obituary Information (Optional)- (Family, Schooling, Career, Etc)
21. Any Other Wishes, Final Messages, or Location of Letters to Loved Ones (Optional):
Signed:______________________________________________Dated:_______________
Rubric for Funeral Planning Assignment
Spelling/Grammar: 10%
Format/Directions: 10%
Question #13: 5%
Remaining questions: 2.5 each (a. and b. responses are each counted as a question) 75%