Planning your funeral may feel like something that can wait, but making a few decisions now can be a real gift to your family.
A Catholic funeral is a prayer of the Church, rooted in our belief in the resurrection and our hope in eternal life.
Taking time to think about your funeral allows you to consider how your Catholic faith should be reflected and gives your family helpful guidance when they may otherwise be making many decisions at a difficult time.
You do not need to plan every detail. The goal is simply to think through the decisions that matter most, write down your wishes, and make sure the right people know where to find them.
Read
Begin with the Catholic Funeral Planning Guide.
You do not have to make every decision as you read.
Use it to become familiar with the choices that may eventually need to be made.
Complete
Write down the wishes that are important to you.
Some decisions may be very specific; others may simply provide general direction.
Talk
Let your spouse, children, family members, or the person who will likely help carry out your wishes know that you have completed a funeral plan.
Share
Your pastor or parish staff can help answer questions about Catholic funeral practices and may be able to keep useful information on file.
Keep
Do not put your only copy somewhere no one will know to look.
Keep it with your other important planning documents and tell someone you trust where it is located.