Pre-Planning Checklist

The who, what, when, and where of your funeral

The Ultimate Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist for Ontario


Taking the time to pre-plan your funeral arrangements is one of the most profound and thoughtful gifts you can give to your loved ones. In a time of grief, your family will be faced with making over 75 decisions, often under great emotional distress and time pressure.


By making your wishes known in advance, you remove this burden. You provide clarity, prevent potential disagreements, and ensure your farewell is a true reflection of your life. This comprehensive funeral planning checklist  is designed to guide you through the process, transforming an overwhelming task into a series of simple, manageable steps.


The Complete Pre-Planning Checklist


Use this checklist to gather your thoughts and information. You can complete it on your own or use it as a guide when you meet with one of our pre-planning specialists.


Section 1: Vital Personal Information

  

(This information is legally required for the Statement of Death in Ontario)

 

  • Full Legal Name:
  • Full Address:
  • Date of Birth:
  • Place of Birth (City, Province, Country):
  • Social Insurance Number:
  • Occupation / Profession:
  • Marital Status:
  • Spouse's Full Name (including maiden name, if applicable):
  • Father's Full Name:
  • Father's Place of Birth:
  • Mother's Full Name (including maiden name):
    Mother's Place of Birth:

 

Section 2: Key Individuals to Notify 

(These are the people who will be responsible for your arrangements and estate)


  • Executor / Estate Trustee: (Name, Phone, Email)
  • Location of My Will: (e.g., with lawyer, in safety deposit box)
  • Primary Contact Person: (The first person the funeral home should call
  • Lawyer: (Name, Firm, Phone)
  • Accountant: (Name, Firm, Phone)
  • Financial Advisor: (Name, Firm, Phone)

 

Section 3: Service & Ceremony Decisions

(This section outlines your wishes for the farewell service)


  • Choice of Disposition:
  • Burial: (Traditional, Green Burial)
  • Cremation:


  • Type of Service:
  • Traditional Funeral: (Service with the casket present, followed by burial or cremation
  • Memorial Service: (A service after the disposition, with or without the cremated remains present) 
  • Celebration of Life: (A more informal event focusing on the individual's unique life)
  • Graveside Service Only:
  • Direct Disposition with No Service


  • Service Location:
  • Chapel Ridge Funeral Home:
  • Place of Worship: (Name and Address)
  • Other Venue: (e.g., Community Hall, Park)
  • Visitation / Wake:
  • Yes or No
  • Casket: Open or Closed


  • Clergy / Officiant: (Name, Affiliation)

 

Section 4: Personal Tributes & Details

(These details make the service a unique reflection of you)


  • Music Selections: (e.g., specific songs, hymns, live musician)
  • Readings / Poems:
  • Pallbearers: (List 6-8 names)
  • Eulogist: (Person you would like to speak)
  • Personal Items: (e.g., photos for a video tribute, memorabilia for display)
    Obituary Information: (Attach a separate sheet with key life events, hobbies, surviving family members, etc.)
  • Preferred Charity for Donations:
  • Floral Preferences: (e.g., favorite flowers or colors)
  • Reception:
  • Yes or No
  • Location: (e.g., at Chapel Ridge, at a family home, at a restaurant)
  • Catering Details:

 

Section 5: Merchandise & Financial Arrangements

 

  • Casket Selection: (Material, Color)
  • Burial Vault / Grave Liner: (Required by most cemeteries)
    Cremation Urn Selection: (e.g., for burial, scattering, or to be kept at home)
  • Memorial Stationery: (e.g., guest book, prayer cards)
  • Pre-Payment:
  • I wish to pre-pay to lock in today's prices and protect my family from future inflation.
    I wish to pre-plan my wishes only, leaving the financial arrangements for my estate.
  • [ ] Location of Financial Documents: (e.g., bank accounts, insurance policies, pension plans)

The Ultimate Guide: Understanding Your Pre-Planning Checklist

 

This pre-planning checklist for residents of Markham and Richmond Hill to Toronto and Scarborough is more than just a list of tasks; it's the foundation for a conversation. Here is a deeper look into what each section means for you and your family.

 

Why This Checklist is a Gift of Love

 

When a loved one passes, the family is in a state of shock and grief. The last thing they need is the stress of making dozens of financial and logistical decisions. Pre-planning is an act of love that provides two profound benefits:


  1. Emotional Relief: It removes the burden of choice. Your family won't have to guess what you would have wanted. They are free to focus on supporting one another and beginning the grieving process, secure in the knowledge that your wishes are being honored.

  2. Financial Protection: Pre-paying your arrangements locks in today's prices for goods and services. This protects your family and your estate from the effects of inflation and prevents the possibility of "emotional overspending"—a common occurrence when grieving families feel pressured to spend more as a way to show their love.
     


A Deeper Look: Vital Information & Key People

 

The "Vital Personal Information" section may seem basic, but it is critically important. In Ontario, this information is legally required to complete the Statement of Death, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a burial permit and a death certificate. By gathering this now, you save your executor from a stressful search for documents.

 

Naming your Executor is equally crucial. This is the person with the legal authority to manage your estate and ensure your funeral wishes are carried out. Ensuring they have a copy of your will and this plan is essential.

 

 

A Deeper Look: Your Service, Your Way

 

This is the heart of your plan. It is where you decide how you want to be remembered.


  • Burial vs. Cremation: This is a personal choice. A traditional burial involves interment at a cemetery, while cremation is a process that reduces the body to its basic elements. It's important to know that choosing cremation does not mean you cannot have a service. You can have a full traditional funeral before the cremation, or a memorial service afterward with the cremated remains present.

  • Traditional Funeral vs. Celebration of Life:     A traditional funeral is often more structured and may be led by a clergy member. A Celebration of Life is often more flexible and focuses on celebrating the unique personality, passions, and life story of the individual. There is no right or wrong answer—only what feels right for you and your family.
     


A Deeper Look: Financial & Legal Peace of Mind

 

For many in Markham and across the Northern GTA (Aurora, Stouffville), the financial aspect of planning is a primary concern. When you pre-pay for a funeral in Ontario, your funds are protected by law. The money is not held by the funeral home; it is placed in a trust account or used to purchase an insurance policy, where it is held securely until it is needed.

 

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) provides robust consumer protection. For all contracts made after July 1, 2012, the prices for your selected services and merchandise are guaranteed, meaning your family will not be asked to pay more. This transparency and security are central to the pre-planning process.

 

 

A Deeper Look: Crafting Your Personal Legacy

 

How do you want to be remembered? This section is about the details that make a service personal.

  • Music & Readings: Do you have a favorite song, hymn, or poem that speaks to your life?
  • The Obituary: This is the story of your life. We encourage you to write down key events, hobbies, and family members you wish to include. For guidance, you can read our Step-by-Step Guide to Writing an Obituary.
  • Donations: Choosing a preferred charity allows friends and family to honor you by supporting a cause you believed in.
     


Your Next Steps

 

Completing this funeral planning checklist is a powerful first step. You now have a clear record of your wishes that will provide immeasurable peace of mind for you and your family.


When you are ready, you have two simple options to finalize your plan:


  1. Pre-Arrange Online: You can use our secure online form to submit your plans from the comfort of your home.
    Click Here to Pre-Arrange Your Funeral Online

  2. Meet With a Specialist: We invite you to schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated pre-planning specialists. They can answer all your questions, walk you through every option, and help you formalize your plan.

 

Now that you’ve figured out the details, it’s time to make sure they’re carried out. This list will help you assign responsibility for each task on the previous list.

Do you have the information gathered for the paperwork?

When a death occurs, it may be helpful to gather a few documents that will be needed.
Documents needed when a death has occurred:
  • Account Statements of the deceased
  • Life Insurance Policies
  • Beneficiary Designations
  • Last Will and Testament and any Codicils
  • Revocable Living Trust
  • Marriage Certificate/ Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
  • Birth Certificate/ Citizenship Card
  • SIN Number of Deceased, and if applicable the deceased’s surviving spouse or common-law partner
If you need further assistance, please contact us.