Glossary: Funeral Wishes

Funeral wishes are written instructions describing how you want your funeral or memorial to be arranged.

They may include preferences for burial or cremation, the type of ceremony, music, readings, and the people involved. Funeral wishes help ensure that your farewell reflects your values, beliefs, and personality.

What funeral wishes do

Funeral wishes provide practical and personal guidance for those organizing your funeral.

They help:

• reduce uncertainty during an emotional time
• avoid disagreements between family members
• ensure your preferences are respected

Unlike legally binding documents, funeral wishes are typically guidelines, but they are often followed closely by loved ones.

Why funeral wishes are important

After a death, decisions often need to be made quickly.

Without guidance:

• families may feel overwhelmed
• important details may be overlooked
• choices may not reflect what you would have wanted

With clear funeral wishes:

• planning becomes easier
• stress is reduced for your loved ones
• your farewell feels more personal and intentional

What funeral wishes can include

Funeral wishes can be as simple or detailed as you like.

They often cover:

• burial or cremation preferences
• type of ceremony (religious, secular, private)
• location and setting
• music, readings, or speakers
• cultural or personal traditions
• preferences for flowers or donations

What funeral wishes do NOT do

Funeral wishes do not:

• replace a legally binding will
• control how your assets are distributed
• guarantee that every detail will be followed exactly

They are meant to guide, not legally enforce.

When to create funeral wishes

You can create funeral wishes at any time.

They are especially helpful if:

• you have strong personal or cultural preferences
• you want to ease the burden on your family
• you prefer a non-traditional ceremony

Common mistakes

Some common issues include:

• not writing anything down
• keeping wishes too vague
• not sharing them with anyone
• storing them where they cannot be found

Funeral wishes are only useful if they are accessible and known.

Related documents

• Last Will and Testament
• Letter of Wishes
• Obituary
• Eulogy

Practical note

Funeral wishes should be:

reviewed if your preferences change over time

stored in an accessible place

shared with trusted individuals