Former US presidents plan their own funerals

American presidents are among the busiest in the world but it does not stop them from taking some time out to plan their funeral.

Several former American presidents are known to have made plans in advance to ensure that their wishes are carried out and the solemnity of the occasion is maintained, media reports said.

The topic has come to the forefront following the funeral of Ronald Reagan in May, which was a highly choreographed affair more than 20 years in the making. And everything did go according to the plan.

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And, why not? Reagan began planning his ceremony in 1981, shortly after he took office, and finalised his arrangements in 1989, updating them annually. While the final figures won't be disclosed for months, Newsweek says the cost of the Reagan week's events is estimated to be just less than 10 million dollars.

By comparison, Richard Nixon's 1994 state funeral cost taxpayers just over $300,000, the magazine says.

Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H W Bush have submitted plans to the Military District of Washington, which is in charge of the organisation and execution of state funerals, Newsweek reports in its upcoming issue.

Washington's National Cathedral has preliminary funeral arrangements on file for Bill Clinton and President George W Bush, it says.

"All current living presidents have plans in the works for a state funeral," says Elizabeth Hargrove, a church spokesperson.