Advance funeral planning: why think about it during your lifetime

BlogPractical adviceOctober 18th, 2025
Advance funeral planning: why think about it during your lifetime

Introduction

Talking about one's own death remains a taboo in our society. Yet, planning your funeral in advance is one of the most beautiful gifts you can offer your loved ones. Far from being a morbid subject, funeral planning is an act of kindness that demonstrates your love and consideration for those who will survive you.

When a death occurs, loved ones often find themselves overwhelmed by grief whilst having to make important and urgent decisions concerning the funeral. In this emotionally difficult context, they must choose between cremation or burial, select a funeral home, organise the ceremony and manage a substantial budget — all within just a few days.

By anticipating these choices during your lifetime, you spare them this considerable stress. You offer them the possibility to focus fully on their grief, without having to guess what you would have wished. You also control the financial aspects and ensure that your funeral wishes will be respected according to your personal values.

In this article, we will explore the concrete reasons why planning your funeral is essential, the different options available in Switzerland — from the funeral will to death insurance — and the practical steps to set up your own funeral planning.

📌 Summary (TL;DR)

Advance funeral planning relieves your loved ones of a triple burden: emotional (no difficult decisions during the grieving period), financial (control of costs between CHF 5,000 and 15,000) and family (respect for your wishes, avoidance of conflicts). Several options exist in Switzerland: funeral will, funeral contract, death insurance or savings account. The approach involves reflecting on your wishes, estimating the budget, choosing the appropriate solution and communicating your decisions to your loved ones.

Why plan your funeral in advance?

Funeral planning is not just a practical matter, it's a profoundly human decision that brings concrete benefits both for you and for your loved ones. Let's look in detail at why this approach deserves your attention.

Relieve the emotional burden on your loved ones

The death of a loved one plunges families into a period of intense emotional vulnerability. In this state of shock and grief, having to quickly make important decisions concerning the funeral represents considerable stress.

Your loved ones will have to, within a few days, make choices they have never had to make before: what type of ceremony to organise? What music to choose? What texts to read? These apparently simple questions become agonising dilemmas when one fears not respecting the wishes of the deceased.

By planning your funeral in advance, you eliminate this uncertainty. Your loved ones will know exactly what you wished, which will allow them to focus on the essential: grieving, supporting each other and celebrating your memory. To better understand the extent of the steps they will have to face, consult our guide on the first steps after a death in Switzerland.

This anticipation also avoids potential family conflicts. Faced with the absence of clear directives, it is not uncommon for family members to have divergent opinions on how to honour their loved one. These disagreements can create lasting tensions at times when family unity is paramount.

Control costs and avoid financial surprises

Funerals represent a significant financial investment. In Switzerland, the average cost of funerals varies between CHF 5,000 and 15,000, depending on the choices made and the region. This range can even be exceeded for more elaborate ceremonies.

When loved ones have to organise funerals urgently and under the influence of emotion, they are less inclined to compare offers and negotiate. Guilt and the desire to "do things properly" can push them to accept costly services that they might not have chosen in normal circumstances.

By anticipating, you have time to compare the different options, request several quotes and choose the services that truly correspond to your wishes and your budget. You can also set up an appropriate financing solution, thus avoiding your loved ones having to advance a significant sum or take out a loan urgently.

To better understand the breakdown of funeral costs and identify expense items, consult our detailed guide on funeral prices in Switzerland. This transparency will enable you to make informed decisions and budget your funeral planning realistically.

Guarantee respect for your personal wishes

Your funeral is a final opportunity to express who you were, your values and what mattered to you. Do you wish for a traditional religious ceremony or a secular or civil celebration? Do you prefer cremation or burial? What music would you like to hear? Are there particular texts that touch you?

Without clear indications from you, your loved ones will have to guess your preferences, with the risk of not making the choices you would have wished. Some regret, sometimes years later, having organised funerals that did not truly correspond to the personality of the deceased.

Funeral planning allows you to express these personal choices in detail. You can specify the type of ceremony, the destination of your ashes, the flowers you like, and even details such as readings or photos to display. This personalisation transforms the funeral into a true celebration of your life.

One of the first decisions to make concerns the mode of burial. To help you in this reflection, discover our detailed comparison between cremation and burial, which analyses the practical, financial, religious and ecological aspects of each option.

By clearly expressing your wishes, you also avoid family conflicts that can arise when different family members have divergent visions of what would be "appropriate". Your advance directives serve as an indisputable reference and ease potential tensions.

The different funeral planning options

In Switzerland, several solutions are available to you to organise your funeral planning. Each presents advantages and particularities according to your personal situation, your budget and your objectives. Let's explore these different options in detail.

The funeral will or advance directives

The funeral will, also called funeral advance directives, is a written document in which you record your wishes concerning your funeral. Unlike a succession will, it does not need to be drawn up by a notary to be valid, although a written and signed form is recommended.

In this document, you can specify:

  • Your choice between cremation and burial
  • The type of ceremony desired (religious, civil, secular)
  • The character of the ceremony (intimate, public)
  • Your wishes concerning music, texts and readings
  • The place of burial or the destination of the ashes
  • Your preferences regarding flowers or donations
  • Your wishes concerning organ donation

Advantages: This solution is free, entirely flexible and can be modified at any time. It allows you to express your wishes in detail without financial commitment.

Limitations: The funeral will does not include financing for the funeral. Your loved ones will therefore have to bear the costs, even if they know your wishes. Moreover, it is essential to keep this document in an accessible place and to inform your loved ones of its existence and location — otherwise, it risks not being discovered in time.

Practical advice: Give a copy to your trusted person, to your GP and keep the original with your important documents. Also consider mentioning its existence in your succession will.

The funeral contract with a funeral home

The funeral contract is a formal agreement that you sign with a funeral home of your choice. You define together, in the smallest details, the organisation of your funeral and you pay for these services in advance, either in one go or by instalments.

This type of contract allows you to plan everything: the coffin or urn, the flowers, the type of ceremony, transport, announcements, and even details such as music or decoration. The company commits to respecting your choices when the time comes.

Advantages: This solution offers complete peace of mind. Everything is planned in the smallest details, and your loved ones will only have to contact the company which will take care of everything. Prices are generally fixed at the time of signing, which protects you against inflation. You can also personalise every aspect of the ceremony.

Disadvantages: You commit to a specific company, which can be problematic if you move or if the company ceases its activity. Instalments can represent a financial commitment over several years. Moreover, certain subsequent modifications may be limited according to the terms of the contract.

To choose the company with which to sign such a contract, it is essential to compare several professionals. Our guide on how to choose a funeral home will help you identify important criteria. You can also consult our directory of funeral homes in Switzerland to compare the services available in your region.

Death insurance and funeral planning

Death insurance or funeral insurance is an insurance product specifically designed to cover funeral expenses. You pay monthly or annual premiums, and at the time of your death, a guaranteed capital is paid to your designated beneficiaries to finance the funeral.

It is important to distinguish funeral insurance from classic life insurance. Funeral insurance has a more modest capital (generally between CHF 5,000 and 20,000) and is specifically intended to cover funeral expenses, whilst life insurance aims to financially protect loved ones in a more global way.

Advantages: This solution offers great flexibility. Your beneficiaries receive a capital that they can use freely to organise the funeral according to your wishes (which you will have expressed separately in a funeral will). You are not tied to a specific funeral home, which leaves your loved ones the freedom to choose. The capital is guaranteed and protected against inflation if you have chosen an appropriate formula.

Points of attention: Premiums can vary according to your age and state of health at the time of subscription. Some contracts provide for a waiting period (period during which the capital is not paid in the event of death, except accident). It is essential to compare offers carefully and read the general conditions carefully.

In Switzerland, several insurers offer funeral planning products. For example, Everlife offers death insurance solutions adapted to the Swiss context. Take the time to compare offers, premium amounts, guaranteed capitals and conditions for modification or cancellation.

Practical advice: Combine your funeral insurance with a funeral will detailing your wishes. Thus, your loved ones will have both the financial means and precise instructions to organise a funeral in accordance with your wishes.

The funeral savings account

The funeral savings account is the simplest option: it involves regularly putting money aside in an account dedicated specifically to funeral expenses. This approach requires no contract or commitment with a third party.

Advantages: You benefit from total flexibility. You decide the amount and frequency of payments according to your possibilities. The money remains accessible in case of urgent need, and you pay no insurance premium or specific management fees. Your loved ones will be able to use these funds freely to organise the funeral.

Limitations: This solution requires discipline to regularly fund the account. The money saved has no particular protection and forms part of your estate, which can complicate immediate access to funds for your loved ones. Moreover, if you die prematurely, the amount saved may be insufficient to cover all expenses.

Practical advice: If you opt for this solution, clearly inform your loved ones of the existence and purpose of this account. Consider designating a co-holder or beneficiary to facilitate access to funds after your death. Combine this savings with a funeral will specifying your wishes.

How to set up your funeral planning: practical steps

Now that you know the different options available, let's see how to implement your funeral planning. This approach takes place in four main stages, which we will detail to support you in your reflection.

Step 1: Reflect on your personal wishes

The first step consists of clarifying what you truly wish for your funeral. This personal reflection is essential because it will guide all your subsequent decisions. Take the time to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Mode of burial: Do you prefer cremation or burial? What are your reasons (religious, ecological, practical convictions)?
  • Type of ceremony: Do you wish for a traditional religious ceremony, a secular or civil celebration, or a combination of both?
  • Character of the ceremony: Do you desire an intimate ceremony reserved for close family, or a larger celebration open to friends and acquaintances?
  • Atmosphere and personalisation: What music would you like to hear? Are there texts, poems or readings that particularly touch you? Do you wish for a solemn atmosphere or rather a celebration of life?
  • Place of rest: If you choose burial, do you have a preference for a particular cemetery? If you opt for cremation, where do you wish your ashes to be scattered or kept?
  • Organ donation: Are you in favour of organ donation? This decision must be formalised separately, but it can influence certain aspects of funeral planning.
  • Flowers and donations: Do you prefer flowers during the ceremony, or would you rather people present make a donation to an association close to your heart?

Don't hesitate to discuss these questions with your loved ones or with a funeral adviser. Their perspectives can help you clarify your own wishes. Bear in mind that your choices should reflect your personal values, and not what you think others expect of you.

Step 2: Estimate the necessary budget

Once your wishes are clarified, it is time to evaluate the financial cost of their realisation. This estimate will enable you to choose the financing solution most suited to your situation.

In Switzerland, funeral costs vary considerably according to several factors:

  • The mode of burial (cremation is generally less expensive than burial)
  • The type of coffin or urn chosen
  • The scale of the ceremony (number of guests, venue, services)
  • The region (prices vary between cantons and between urban and rural areas)
  • Additional services (announcements, flowers, reception, tombstone)

To give you a precise idea, the usual range is between CHF 5,000 and 15,000, but can be higher for elaborate ceremonies. Our detailed guide on the costs of funerals in Switzerland will help you understand the breakdown of expenses and refine your budget.

Practical advice: Request detailed quotes from several funeral homes to have a realistic estimate based on your specific wishes. Don't hesitate to negotiate and ask for explanations on each expense item.

Step 3: Choose the appropriate financing solution

Now that you know your wishes and their approximate cost, you can select the financing solution that best corresponds to your personal situation. Several criteria should guide your choice:

Your age: If you are relatively young and in good health, funeral insurance can be advantageous because premiums will be moderate. If you are older, a funeral contract or savings account may be more interesting.

Your financial situation: Can you pay a significant sum immediately, or do you prefer payments spread over several years? Do you have the necessary discipline to regularly fund a savings account?

Your geographical mobility: If you are considering moving, funeral insurance offers more flexibility than a contract with a specific local company.

Your need for control: Do you wish to plan every detail now (funeral contract), or do you prefer to leave a certain freedom to your loved ones whilst providing them with the financial means (death insurance + funeral will)?

Practical advice: Don't hesitate to make appointments with several professionals — funeral homes, insurance advisers — to compare offers. Ask all your questions and request detailed simulations. Take the time to read the general conditions carefully before committing.

You can also consult our directory of funeral homes to identify professionals in your region and compare their services.

Step 4: Formalise and communicate your decisions

The last step, and not the least, consists of putting your wishes in writing and above all communicating them to your loved ones. A perfectly drafted funeral will or funeral contract is useless if no one knows it exists or cannot find it at the crucial moment.

Formalise your wishes:

  • Draft a clear and detailed funeral will, dated and signed
  • If you have taken out insurance or a funeral contract, keep all contractual documents in a safe place
  • Create an "end of life" file bringing together all relevant documents: funeral will, insurance contracts, funeral home contact details, banking information, etc.

Communicate with your loved ones:

This is probably the most important and most delicate aspect. Many people carefully plan their funerals but dare not broach the subject with their family. Yet, this conversation is essential.

  • Choose a calm and appropriate moment to discuss your wishes with your loved ones
  • Explain your motivations and the importance it has for you
  • Clearly indicate to them where all important documents are located
  • Designate a trusted person who will be the main contact and who knows all the details
  • Give copies of your funeral will to key people

Where to keep your documents:

  • At home, in a place known to your loved ones (personal safe, specific drawer)
  • At your trusted person's home (copy)
  • At your notary's if you have a succession will
  • At your GP's (for advance medical directives)

Don't forget that your loved ones will also have to manage numerous administrative formalities after your death. By informing them of your funeral wishes, you considerably facilitate this difficult period for them.

Practical advice: Review your directives every 2-3 years or during important changes in your life (moving, evolution of your convictions, family changes). Always inform your loved ones of modifications made.

Frequently asked questions about funeral planning

Do you still have questions concerning funeral planning? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you take the step with complete peace of mind.

At what age should one plan one's funeral?

There is no "ideal" age to start planning your funeral, because each situation is unique. However, several moments in life are particularly suited to this reflection.

Traditionally, many people start thinking about it around 50-60 years old, at the time of retirement or when they start thinking about their estate. This is indeed a favourable period, because one generally has the necessary clarity of mind and sufficient time ahead to set up an advantageous financing solution.

Certain life events can also trigger this reflection earlier:

  • The death of a loved one, which raises awareness of the importance of anticipation
  • A serious medical diagnosis
  • The birth of children or grandchildren
  • Purchasing a property or drafting a succession will

In reality, the earlier you plan, the more you benefit from advantages: lower insurance premiums if you are young and in good health, more time to save gradually, and above all, the peace of mind of knowing that everything is in order.

Our advice: Don't wait to be confronted with a medical emergency to think about it. As soon as the question crosses your mind, it's probably the right time to at least start exploring the available options.

Can one modify one's wishes after having planned?

Absolutely, and it's even recommended! Your wishes can evolve over time, depending on your experiences, the evolution of your convictions, your family situation or your place of residence.

Funeral will: You can modify it at any time. You simply need to draft a new dated and signed version, which automatically replaces the previous one. Simply remember to retrieve the old copies you had distributed and replace them with the updated version.

Funeral contract: Most contracts allow modifications, but the terms vary according to companies. Some modifications may be free (change of music, texts), whilst others (change of coffin, addition of services) may incur additional costs. Consult the general conditions of your contract.

Funeral insurance: You can generally modify the amount of insured capital or the designated beneficiaries. Some modifications may require a new evaluation of your situation (medical questionnaire) and may influence the amount of premiums.

Important: Each time you modify your wishes or your funeral arrangements, inform your loved ones and your trusted person immediately. A modification that is not communicated is a modification that risks not being respected.

Our advice: Review your funeral directives every 2-3 years, or systematically after a major event in your life (moving, change in family situation, evolution of your religious or philosophical convictions).

What happens if I don't plan anything?

If you take no arrangements for your funeral, your loved ones will have to make all the decisions in your place, in an emotionally very difficult context. Here is concretely what awaits them:

Decision-making stress: Within 24 to 48 hours following your death, they will have to choose a funeral home, decide between cremation and burial, select a coffin or urn, organise a ceremony, write an announcement... all without knowing what you would have wished.

Immediate financial burden: They will have to advance funeral expenses, which can reach several thousand francs. Without preparation, they will not have had time to compare offers and risk paying more than necessary. Some families even have to take out a loan urgently.

Risks of family conflicts: Faced with the absence of clear directives, family members may have divergent opinions on what would be "appropriate" or on what you would have wanted. These disagreements can create lasting tensions and taint family relationships.

Guilt and regrets: Even with the best intentions, your loved ones may have doubts for years: "Should we have done differently?", "Is this really what he/she would have wanted?". This uncertainty can complicate their grieving process.

Administrative burden: In addition to organising the funeral, they will have to manage numerous administrative procedures, often complex and time-consuming.

By planning your funeral, you spare them all these pitfalls and offer them the possibility to focus on the essential: grieving and honouring your memory in serenity.

Is funeral planning legally recognised in Switzerland?

Yes, funeral planning is perfectly recognised and respected in Switzerland. Swiss law attaches particular importance to respecting the wishes of the deceased concerning their funeral.

Legal framework: According to the Swiss Civil Code (art. 31 CC), the deceased's relatives have the duty to organise the funeral, but they must respect the wishes expressed by the deceased during their lifetime, as far as possible. A funeral will or advance directives therefore have legal value, even if they are not notarised.

Legal limitations: However, there are certain regulatory constraints, mainly at cantonal level:

  • Legal deadlines for burial or cremation (generally between 2 and 6 days after death)
  • Authorised places for the scattering of ashes (some cantons have specific rules)
  • Sanitary and environmental standards concerning coffins and urns
  • Authorisations necessary for certain types of burial (for example, scattering in nature)

Contracts and insurance: Funeral contracts and death insurance are perfectly valid private law contracts governed by Swiss contract law and insurance legislation.

Advice to guarantee validity:

  • Draft your wishes clearly and dated
  • Sign your advance directives
  • Ensure that your wishes respect applicable cantonal regulations
  • Inform your loved ones and give them a copy
  • In case of doubt, consult a notary or legal adviser

Our advice: If you have particular or unconventional wishes (for example, scattering of ashes in a specific place), enquire with the competent cantonal authorities to ensure that your wishes are legally feasible.

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