A publication by the New York State Funeral Directors Association © Copyright NYSFDA, Inc. 2000

This checklist has been designed to assist you in organizing important information that will be readily accessible to your survivors after your death. It will also help you preplan your funeral and leave a permanent record of these plans so that your family and/or executor will be able to fulfill your wishes. Knowing what you wanted will relieve your loved ones of making decisions at a stressful time.

As part of your planning, you may choose to visit your funeral director and prearrange your funeral needs. This act will have some significant benefits for you and your family. First and foremost, it will relieve your family members of the many decisions that must be made at the time of your death. They won’t have to try and guess what you would have wanted, they will know. In addition, if the funeral is prefunded, the family will not have to deal with any monetary considerations. Another benefit is that SSI/Medicaid recipients are allowed to set aside money to fully fund the funeral service of their choice prior to their own funds becoming exhausted. Finally, prearranging will give you the peace of mind knowing that you will have a funeral and burial which will fulfill your personal choices.

It is so very important not to be afraid of talking about death with your family members…death is an inevitable part of the life cycle and all living things will experience it. Discuss this booklet and checklist with them, involve them in the planning process. Discussing your beliefs and desires openly will assist in assuring that when death occurs, your final wishes are carried out and your survivors have the information necessary to make their grief easier to bear.

Personal Affairs Checklist

	Discuss Funeral Arrangements
	File Current/Updated Will
	Cemetery Arrangements
	Monument Dealer
	Funeral Home Details
	Copies of Prearrangement Contracts
	Biographical Information
	Estate Executor
	Motor Vehicle Department
	Licensed Firearms
	Plans for Pets

Click here for more specific details regarding Personal Affairs.

Financial Affairs Checklist

	Accountant
	Bank Accounts
	Credit Union Accounts
	Safe Deposit Box(es)
	Pensions
	Life Insurance
	Stock Broker
	Real Estate
	Social Security Administration
	Union Benefits

Click here for more details regarding Financial Affairs.

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