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Planning · Step 01

Funeral planning –
shaping your farewell with dignity

Your wishes for your final farewell, clearly recorded – so that your loved ones can say goodbye in a way that truly reflects you.

⏱ 5 min.✔ Recommended
What is it?

Deciding on your farewell now

Funeral planning is a personal document in which you record your wishes for your burial: type of funeral, ceremony, music, place of remembrance and much more.

This relieves your loved ones of an enormous burden: in a moment of deep grief, they do not have to make difficult decisions about what you would have wanted.

Good to know: Funeral planning is not legally binding – but it is a valuable guide for your loved ones and for the funeral service that will accompany you.

Burial type
Burial, cremation, sea or forest burial
Ceremony
Religious, civil or private
Filing
With Seruna, notary or in a safe
Costs
No mandatory fee to prepare

Step by step

How to write my funeral planning

1

Reflect on your wishes

Think about what matters to you: burial or cremation? Religious or civil ceremony? Who should be present? Music that means something to you?

2

Write it down

Record your wishes clearly and in detail. There is no official form – a handwritten or typed sheet is perfectly sufficient. The important thing is that your wishes are understandable.

3

Inform your loved ones

Tell your family where the document is kept. Ideally, raise the topic in a conversation – this relieves everyone and clarifies any questions.

4

File the document

Give a copy to Seruna, your notary, or keep it in a safe and known place. Seruna keeps your document free of charge and passes it on to your loved ones when needed.


What you can regulate

Your wishes, your decision

Type of burial (burial / cremation)
Place of remembrance
Ceremony (religious / civil / private)
Music & readings
Flowers & decorations
People to contact
Clothing for the farewell
Death notice yes / no
Wishes for urn or coffin
Organ donation yes / no

Why it matters

A gift for your loved ones

Bereaved people often have to make important decisions in a state of extreme shock. Your funeral planning gives them clear guidance – and thus the security of doing what truly reflects you.

Frequently asked questions

What many people want to know

Does the document need to be certified?+

No. Funeral planning is not a legally binding document. It does not need to be certified. A signed sheet is perfectly sufficient.

What happens if I do not have one?+

Your loved ones decide on your behalf according to their best judgement. This can be stressful and lead to decisions that do not reflect you – or to disagreements within the family.

Does Seruna keep the document?+

Yes. We keep your funeral planning free of charge and pass it on to your loved ones or the funeral home in the event of death. You can change or revoke your wishes at any time.

Next step

Continue planning

Have you recorded your funeral wishes? The next step is the advance care directive – it determines who decides for you if you can no longer do so yourself.

To the advance care directive →

Questions about
funeral planning?

We advise you free of charge and personally – by phone or in person. Call us or send us a message.