HONORING LOST LIVES

The Project Management of

Planning a Funeral

AGENDA

Introduction

Who

What

When

Where

Why

How

Assumptions

Constraints

Funeral Costs

Pre-planned Funeral

In Memoriam

INTRODUCTION

3 industries use emotion to make $$$• Weddings• New Baby• Funerals

Plan for weddings, babies,

retirement…

WHO

All of us…

WHAT

Obituary

Memorial service

Family gathering afterward (1 or

multiple times)

Visitation

Burial service vs. Cremation

WHEN

Can be expected

Sometimes unexpected

Linda Schafer

MaryBeth Burke

Linda Schafer

Lived in Omaha,

NE

Died in Hawaii

Funeral in Omaha

WHERE

MaryBeth Burke

Lived in Springfield,

MO

Considered Seattle

home

Died in Springfield,

MO

Funeral in Seattle,

WA

WHY

Honor his/her amazing life and

cherished memory

Linda Schafer

Buried

Hair clipping put

in ocean in Hawaii

HOW

MaryBeth Burke

Cremated

Husband not ready

to part with ashes

Final location for

ashes is TBD

ASSUMPTIONS

Budget

Cultural influences

Family member roles during memorial

service

Grieving family members

Individual’s final wishes

CONSTRAINTS

Budget

Grieving family (everyone grieves differently)

Family politics

Medical timeline

No final wish documents

Transporting remains

FUNERAL COSTS

Average cost = $7,000+

Price does not include everything

Itemized expenses• Flowers• Cemetery cost• Headstone/Marker• Obituary

PRE-PLANNED FUNERAL

Pre-written plans/Online planning (

Dignity Memorial)

Self-written obituary

Totten Trust

Essential documents for everyone to have

TODAY!

Higgins Law Firm Interview

Linda Schafer

&

MaryBeth Burke

IN MEMORIAM

REFERENCES

www.nolo.com

“What Happens if Someone Dies Without a Will in

Tennessee”: http://

www.tennesseeestatelawblog.com

www.dignitymemorial.com

www.dignityplanning.com