Finalizing what you want to happen at the end of your life has gotten more and more complex over the years. You no longer need just a will; now you need a will, a properly set-up trust, advance directives, and more. As you navigate all that, don’t forget to arrange for your final resting place, as well as the marker that will sit at the head of the grave.

GeoKat offers Chicago grave markers that can be either raised headstones or flat, rectangular markers. The flat markers usually conform to specific dimensions, but the headstones can vary in size and shape. If you do not specify ahead of time what you want on the marker or stone, your family will have to decide while in the midst of grief. Selecting before hand can help them in a very emotional time.

Choosing Chicago grave markers can be bought and designed before you die — the death date is left blank until you actually pass away, of course — so take the time to decide what you want on the stone. Even if you have not finalized your burial plans, you ca give your family an idea of what information you want on there. If you don’t want tribute lines, or if you do want a specific shape, let your family know so that they have one less thing to deal with after you die.

When you start choosing Chicago grave markers, talk to mortuaries and companies that handle Chicago memorials. Find out the average sizes and prices of each type of marker. Many times, the cost of the marker is per character, not per word, and you might be restricted to a certain number of lines. Knowing these parameters will help you put together a grave marker that makes you feel calm and complete.

If you can, choose a final resting place — in other words, reserve your grave location — and pay ahead for as much as you can. Companies that handle Chicago memorials can break down all of the costs for you and let you know which ones you can pay for now. That will be a big relief for your family because they will not have to worry about finding money for your burial once you die.