As citizens of a culture that worships youth, most of us find it nearly impossible to admit our own mortality, much less make plans for that eventuality. Denial, however, offers no protection from the inevitable. And, as it turns out, we have far more to gain than to lose by sitting down in advance to plan for every contingency life may throw at us. To help you begin this important process, here are the essential items that should be on your list of basic estate planning objectives.

PRE-NEED FUNERAL PLANNING
For survivors, the hours and days following a loved ones death is no time for weighty decisions. For many Americans, however, this will be the first time they think about reparations for the loved ones funeral. Given the expense and painful emotions often involved, survivors may be in no condition to make choices for themselves or their loved one.

According to a survey of its membership by the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral today is $6,500. Thats an expense that can quickly escalate as survivors confront a bewildering range of options on everything from the kind and quantity of flowers to the quality of their loved ones casket A premium casket alone, for example, can exceed $15,000. Add in the expense of roses over carnations and live music over recorded, and survivors can end up paying triple or quadruple the average funerals cost. Yet, without advanced planning to guide them, survivors may feel guilty about saying anything but "yes" to the best for their loved one.

Leaving these emotionally charged decisions to grieving family and friends can pose an unfair burden on them in their time of loss. Thats why a growing number of Americans are choosing to take matters into their own hands with pre-need funeral arrangements.