Facing our own mortality is never easy, yet spelling out our funeral wishes is one of the kindest gifts we can leave behind. A clear Funeral Wish List means:
- No frantic guesswork for your family.
- A service that truly reflects your life, beliefs and personality.
- More time for loved ones to comfort one another, instead of juggling admin.
How to Use This Blog Post
- Copy the Printable Form
- Fill it in digitally or print and complete by hand.
- Save one copy with your will and email the digital version to your executor.
- Review it each year—life, and preferences, do change!
Tip: Anyone named to deliver the eulogy can visit Funeral Speech to store memories and automatically draft a heartfelt funeral speech. They’ll also find step-by-step advice Help, poems and real funeral speech examples .
Funeral Wish List Form
PERSONAL DETAILS
Full legal name:
Preferred name for service:
Date of birth: ____ / ____ / ______ NHS No. (optional):
Address:
Next-of-kin name & phone:
TYPE OF SERVICE
☐ Burial ☐ Cremation ☐ Green/Natural Burial ☐ Other _______
Religious / civil / humanist:
Preferred venue (church, crematorium, woodland etc.):
Officiant / celebrant name & contact:
Expected attendance (approx.): __________ people
CEREMONY DETAILS
Entrance music/hymn:
Reflection/committal music:
Exit music:
Live music? (details):
Dress code: ☐ Traditional black ☐ Bright colours ☐ No preference
Flowers or charity donations?
Chosen charity & JustGiving link (if any):
READINGS & POEMS
Reading 1 (title/author):
Read by:
Reading 2 (title/author):
Read by:
Favourite poem, lyric or scripture:
EULOGY
Speaker(s) name(s):
Tone: ☐ Light-hearted ☐ Formal ☐ Spiritual ☐ Humorous ☐ Mixed
Key life moments or stories to include (bullet-points):
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
Desired length (minutes):
ORDER OF SERVICE
Quantity to print:
Design theme/colours:
Photographs to include (file names or descriptions):
QR code to photo/video gallery? ☐ Yes ☐ No
PALLBEARERS (4–6 names & contacts)
RECEPTION / WAKE
Venue:
Catering: ☐ Light buffet ☐ Afternoon tea ☐ Hot meal ☐ Other ______
Drinks: ☐ Tea/coffee only ☐ Cash bar ☐ Open bar
Music/entertainment:
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Military honours / club tributes / eco-friendly touches / items in coffin:
Things to avoid:
DIGITAL LEGACY
Facebook memorialisation: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Instagram/Twitter instructions:
Livestream required? ☐ Yes ☐ No Platform: _____________________
Online condolence book link:
ADMINISTRATION
Chosen funeral director & telephone:
Pre-paid plan or policy no.:
Life insurance provider & policy no.:
Will location & executor contact:
Organ donation decision already registered? ☐ Yes ☐ No
SIGN-OFF
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / _______
Witness (optional): __________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Music Matters
Three songs are customary in most UK services (entry, reflection, exit). Choose anything that feels “you”, whether it’s Elgar, Ed Sheeran or the Match of the Day theme.
Readings & Poems
Short passages resonate best. Visit poems for curated verses or ask our AI to create a bespoke poem in seconds.
Writing a Eulogy
A memorable eulogy lasts around 5 minutes and balances humour, honesty and heart. Our Help guide on how to write a eulogy and the AI writer at Funeral Speech make the process painless for your chosen speaker.
Digital Legacy
Livestreams and online memorial pages have become common, especially for family abroad. Keep login details secure but accessible to your executor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Should I involve my family now?
A. Yes. Discussing your choices helps prevent surprises and ensures everyone understands your reasoning.
Q2. Can I update the form?
A. Absolutely. Replace earlier versions so only the newest copy is in circulation.
Final Thoughts
Documenting your funeral wishes may feel sombre, yet it offers invaluable peace of mind for everyone involved. Copy the form, start filling in the easy parts today and encourage your loved ones to do the same. When the time comes, your kindness and organisation will speak louder than words.
For help with poems, readings or crafting the perfect funeral speech, remember:
• Poems • Real eulogy examples • Step-by-step guides
• AI eulogy writer Your life is unique; let your farewell be the same.