The Simplest Way to Get Your Affairs in Order
Direct cremation offers a simple, dignified way to handle final arrangements. By choosing this option, you can ease the emotional and financial burden on your family. However, planning a funeral is only one part of the broader picture.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your affairs are in order, providing peace of mind for your family when the time comes.
Thinking About End-of-Life Decisions
Many of us put off our end-of-life planning. Thinking about death is unpleasant, and it’s easy to put it off, thinking there will be plenty of time to deal with that unpleasantness later. But none of us know what our future may hold, and it’s never too early to be prepared. Having a plan for what happens after you’re gone is a gift to your loved ones. It reduces the stress of an already difficult time and allows your loved ones to focus on healing from grief instead of worrying about logistics or arguing about money.
End-of-life planning often begins with a last will and testament, an essential document that outlines how your assets and property will be distributed. Consulting an estate lawyer can help you ensure that your wishes are legally documented. You’ll also want to think about establishing a durable power of attorney so that a trusted loved one can make decisions for you if you are unable to do so for yourself.

Other decisions are less official but no less important. You’ll need to assemble all of your important documents for safekeeping. This includes legal documents like birth certificates and property titles, as well as things like bank account information, social media passwords, and keys to your vehicles. The more thorough and organized you are, the simpler things will be for those you love.
Preplanning Checklist
As you begin getting your affairs in order, it may help to start assembling important documents into a binder, filing cabinet, or safe. Keeping everything together in one central location keeps you organized and makes it easy for your loved ones to access everything they’ll need as they arrange your cremation and settle your estate.
Consider including the following in your end-of-life binder or safe. These items will help your loved ones manage your estate and honor your wishes with ease:
- Will
- Living trust
- Power of attorney
- Life insurance policy
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- Marriage license
- Bank and credit card account information
- Loan documents
- A list of any other assets worth noting
- Automobile titles
- Property deeds
- Copies of keys to automobiles, safe deposit boxes, etc.
- Account and device passwords
- Funeral wishes and prepaid service details
Of course, every life is different, so you’ll need to think about what’s important to you and relevant to your loved ones so you can plan accordingly. It’s okay if you can’t assemble everything at once or if your records are incomplete. Any work you do now is something a loved one won’t need to figure out later.
Planning for Simplicity
Planning your cremation in advance is one simple but powerful gift for your loved ones. When you plan with CremationSociety.com, you can work out the details to suit your tastes and arrange for payment. When the time comes, your loved ones only need to call us for transport, and we’ll handle the rest according to the plan you left with us.
There is no simpler or more affordable way to be laid to rest and ease the burden of funeral planning from your loved ones. Call us at 800-922-7773 to begin planning today.