Making arrangements for your own funeral may not be the most pleasant of tasks, but think of the consequences if you don’t make plans. Without knowing your preferences, your estate administrator and family members will have to make difficult and sudden decisions while they’re grieving—hopefully without disagreements.
Decisions to make
Some people might only wish to choose whether they’ll have a burial or cremation, while others may want to provide comprehensive details about the funeral and related arrangements. Perhaps you’ll arrive at a middle ground.
You may wish to name a specific funeral home. You can choose the type of service and decide if there will be a reception, memorial or celebration of life. You could pre-pay the funeral costs and purchase a cemetery plot. Perhaps you want to compile a contact list of people to inform upon your passing. You can name a charity for memorial donations. Also, think about any details meaningful to you, such as choosing music and readings for the service or providing information for your obituary.
Recording your plans
You can document your funeral plans in your will or in a separate document. Using a separate document enables you to make changes and additions more easily and can give your estate administrator ready access to your plans.
Planning your own funeral may be unsettling, so you don’t need to decide everything at once. You may want to begin with the plans that will be most helpful to your estate administrator and loved ones, adding other items over time.
This article is excerpted from the Well‑Advised Spring 2026 Newsletter and published on behalf of your financial advisor for clients residing in jurisdictions where they are registered. This material is provided solely for informational and educational purposes and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities or as providing individual investment, tax or legal advice. Consult your professional advisor(s) prior to acting on the basis of this material. Insurance products are available through advisors registered with applicable insurance regulators. In considering any particular investment, please remember that past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Although this material has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and data provided herein are subject to change without notice. Neither CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd. their affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees or advisors are responsible in any way for any damages or losses of any kind whatsoever in respect of the use of this material. CI Assante Wealth Management is a registered business name of Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
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