A Simple Guide to Arranging Your Own Cremation

Arranging your own cremation may seem a daunting task—complicated, and perhaps quite distressing in theory. But in fact, settling post-life arrangements ahead of time can be much simpler—and more rewarding—than you might think. It relieves your family of some of the burden of responsibility that follows a loved one’s passing. It can also come as a relief to you to know that your wishes are known and will be honored by those you love when you are gone.

But where do you start? Taking things one step at a time can make arranging your own cremation easier.

Step 1: Consider your preferences

It’s important to ask yourself, “What do I want? How do I want to be laid to rest, and how do I want to be remembered?” There are more options than ever for cremation and memorial services, and no one right way to say goodbye. Do a little research and see what draws your attention. Think about your beliefs and those of your family, and consider what options fit those beliefs best. For some, the thought of a loved one keeping their ashes in an urn at home may be most comforting; for others, burying the urn may be more suitable. Let your personal preferences guide your choices.

Step 2: Choose a cremation provider

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to compare cremation providers and services. Traditional funeral homes, for example, tend to offer service packages that include cremation as well as a full funeral service—but often at a hefty price, and with a strict timetable. Direct cremation, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward option—a simple cremation service for a much lower price that leaves you free to plan a unique memorial service on your own schedule, your own way.

Step 3: Create a financial plan

After choosing your cremation provider, you’ll need to decide how to pay for your cremation. Again, you have several options for how to plan financially for your end-of-life expenses. You may wish to set money aside by purchasing a cremation insurance policy or setting up a Payable on Death (POD) account that will release your funds to a beneficiary of your choosing when you pass away. Or, you can arrange a prepaid plan directly with your preferred cremation provider to dictate the specific service you’d like for a guaranteed price that won’t increase with inflation. Before signing anything, be sure to read the fine print carefully and don’t hesitate to ask questions if anything seems vague or confusing.

Step 4: Plan your memorial

How much planning is involved in this step depends largely on the cremation provider and service you choose. If you’ve chosen a traditional funeral home with a full funeral service, you may find your choices limited; the funeral home will make most of the arrangements for you. If, however, you’ve chosen a direct cremation, there are a number of memorial options to choose from. Perhaps you’d like your family to conduct a spreading of ashes ceremony. Or, perhaps you’d prefer an interment ceremony in a local cemetery where you can be buried near other dearly departed loved ones.

How elaborate or simple your service is, and how detailed your instructions are, will be entirely up to your preferences and your budget. Just be sure to do your research. For example, if you want your ashes scattered in a particular place, take care to ensure that your family will be able to legally spread your ashes there—and that they will be able to afford any travel expenses that may be necessary to get there.