Pre-planning your funeral can offer a lot of great benefits, such as letting you pay in advance so your family doesn't shoulder the expense. You may decide to simply pay for the services and let your relatives select all the finer details, or you may want to plan every aspect on your own. In addition to simple steps, such as selecting the casket, there are a few other things you'll need to consider when pre-planning your funeral. Here are just some of the many things you'll want to think about.

Appoint A Person To Be In Charge

Family drama can present itself even in the most close-knit of families. To avoid any confusion over who should be in charge of overseeing your funeral, consider appointing a person in advance. This can be included in your last will and testament, or your funeral director can help you to fill out other types of paperwork to designate someone to be in charge. You'll also want to let your family know who you select in advance to avoid frustration.

Decide On A Burial Option

Do you want to be buried or cremated? Including this decision in your will and in your funeral plan can ensure your final wishes are respected. This is particularly important if your wishes are in opposition to your family's religious beliefs. Putting your requests in writing can prevent fighting over what to do after you are gone, and it can also ease any feelings of guilt family members might have over any final wishes you have that don't align with their religious beliefs.

Choose A Cemetery Plot

Another point of contention may arise with where your family wants you to be buried. If your family has several plots in the same cemetery, or if it has plots in multiple cemeteries, you may end up with relatives fighting over where you should be laid to rest. Consider purchasing your own plot in advance or arranging with the cemetery to select the location you want within the family's plot.

Write Your Own Obituary

Writing your own obituary can take the pressure off of your closest relatives. You can select which names of family members are to be included, which may be important if there are estranged relatives you don't wish to recognize in your obituary. Writing the piece yourself ensures the obituary includes only the information you want to publish. Ask your funeral home director for a check sheet you can use to make sure you don't miss any important details, and let your family know which funeral home you've made arrangements with. When you plan ahead, you can ensure your family spends less time worrying about small details so they have time to grieve and heal.