Planning your own funeral may sound morbid at first, but it is actually one of the best things you can do for your loved ones before you do pass away. When you plan your funeral in advance, you pay for the services you need (which means your surviving family members don't have to), and you make the personal arrangements that loved ones may find hard to figure out in the midst of their grief.

When funeral planning for yourself, here are things you should consider. Your funeral director will help you design the best funeral for your budget — when you pay for the funeral in full, there are no costs left for your loved ones, even considering inflation and dollar value changes — and your personal desires.

Know your budget

You should know how much you are willing to spend for a headstone, casket, food, services, and other arrangements before sitting down with your funeral director to design your funeral. If you don't know what the average funeral costs, your director will inform you and give you options based on your budget. If you are tight on funds, opting for a closed casket or even a cremation ceremony can sometimes be cheaper than a traditional funeral.

Don't forget: part of planning a funeral means planning the program for your funeral, picking your photos, and selecting flower arrangements (if desired). These things should be considered as part of your overall budget before planning your final arrangements.

Know what's allowed

What is allowed at the burial site where you plan on having your headstone erected? Can you have flowers placed on graves, or can you have a custom headstone of any size? You should know the limitations and regulations of your burial place before planning your funeral. After all, you don't want to pay for a headstone or marker in advance if it doesn't meet the codes and regulations of your final resting place. Your funeral director can contact the cemetery and learn the rules you must follow.

If you have any custom things you want at your funeral, such as a special song or a specific layout of photographs, make this known to your funeral director. The more specific you are about your funeral today, the less worry your loved ones will have in the future when you do pass. Your funeral director will assist you every step of the way.