If you are planning your estate, it would be a good idea to include a plan for your burial. The first few days after an individual dies are so hectic that chaos results with no direction for the survivors. You need to make clear to your survivors the following:

1) If you prefer a traditional funeral, list the funeral home you want for the wake. Perhaps offer a second choice if the first option isn’t available.

2) List your preferred church for the funeral service.

3) List the cemetery where you prefer the burial to take place. Your survivors may need to buy a plot if one doesn’t exist. If a family plot exists, and you have the plot deed, let your survivors know where you put the plot deed.

Note: 

For the purpose of brevity, the above list is typical of a christian burial in which I am familiar. Certainly, you can adjust the list to fit your religion and place of worship.

Additional Plans for the First Few Days

After you make clear your funeral wishes, you should consider the following with your executor:

1) If your cash accounts are only in your name, consider adding the executor’s name to your accounts. By adding the executor’s name to your accounts, the executor can manage your finances during long hospital stays. In addition, upon your death, the executor can continue paying bills until officially appointed executor.  There shouldn’t be a trust issue if you trust the person enough to handle your lifetime assets as executor.

2) Let the executor know if you set aside any assets for your burial. If you did, make sure the executor is the beneficiary.

3) Let your executor know the sources of income that need to stop if a spouse doesn’t survive you. Typically, income sources that need stopping are social security income and pension income from an employer.

4) If you have rental property, give the executor the contact information of the tenants. The executor will need to inform the tenants of your passing and make arrangements as to where to send the rent check.

Conclusion

Typically, in most common estates, the decedent’s spouse or children act as executor. So, the suggestions above are flexible to each estate. In my experience as executor, I was the decedent’s nephew. Fortunately, the decedent set up a good plan that involved all the suggestions above. As a result, the first few days after the decedent’s death went smoothly. Regardless, if you make your wishes clear for the first few days, you will make life easier for those grieving your loss.

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