Funerals are highly emotional and cannot be organized without making several major decisions. That’s why pre-planning for such an inevitable occasion will help surviving family members in many ways. Letting people know in advance what your final wishes are will save your loved ones from having to guess, or to decide at a time when making decisions is difficult.

Also, some people have a difficult time discussing these matters. Pre-planning the details may also help save money, in some circumstances. This could make a great deal of difference, as funerals can cost more than $10,000.

First of all, don’t leave your final disposition instructions outlined in a will. In many cases, the will won’t be read for some time after your death. Use the will instead to serve as a direction for how your property should be divided and distributed, and for how you wish your children to be cared for, if they are still young.

If you die without leaving written instructions, according to Nolo Press, state law will determine who will have the right to decide how your remains will be handled. In most states, the right and responsibility to pay for the reasonable costs of disposing of remains lies with these people, in the following order: spouse; child or children; parent or parents; the next of kin; or a public administrator, who has been appointed by a court. Disputes can be avoided if you outline your wishes and document them.

In the written instructions, you should address such things as the name of the mortuary that will handle either the burial or cremation; whether or not you wish to be embalmed; the type of casket or container; and where your remains will be buried or scattered.

Before outlining these wishes, you will have had to find the right mortuary or funeral home. When calling those in your area, ask to speak with a pre-arrangement counselor. These counselors can help you consider such arrangements as the casket or vault, as well as many other details. The mortuary you select should be able to collect a body from place of death, store the body until cremation or burial, make burial arrangements with a cemetery, conduct ceremonies related to the burial, prepare the body for burial and arrange to have the body transported for burial. The costs of these services can vary widely.

Memorial services - if you want them - can also be discussed in your final disposition instructions. Here you can outline details of the ceremony. Will there be visitation? What hymns, prayers and special songs do you prefer? Who will your pallbearers be, if you wish to have some? You may also indicate what you want to be placed on the grave marker and the cemetery where you wish to be buried.

Finally, don’t forget to provide your survivors with financial information, such as life insurance policies, real estate holdings, and banking information, and their account numbers.

Dependents and survivors may also be eligible for certain benefits and they must be applied for, as they are not automatic. Honorably discharged veterans are also entitled to benefits.

To find a funeral or memorial society near you, look in the Yellow Pages of your local phone book, or contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance on-line at www.funerals.org.

- For more information about pre-planning a funeral, contact Twin Chapels Mortuary, (707) 552-6696.

Twin Chapels Mortuary

Prepare written instructions separate from your will. The will may not be read until some time after your death.

In written instructions you should include information on the name of the mortuary that will handle either your burial or cremation, whether or not you wish to be embalmed, the type of casket or container, and disposition of your remains.

Check with your local funeral home or mortuary and ask if they have a pre-arrangement counselor. The counselor should be able to set up all the arrangements necessary, and give you costs on all the services they offer.

You can include your wishes for a memorial or funeral in your final disposition instructions. You should outline all the details so your specific wishes can be followed.

Make sure your survivors have your financial information, such as life insurance policies, real estate holdings, and bank account information.