Making funeral arrangements at an emotional time after a loved one has died is heart-rending. Providing this pragmatic list of actions and activities required to plan a funeral is intended to facilitate the decision making process for this significant event.
While the following list may assist you with funeral arrangements, it does not include every consideration, especially personal biases, religion, creed, emotional contemplations, empathy, sympathy, or spiritual matters regarding all the circumstances which may unfold during the course of the events.
Notification / Communication
Family Members
Friends of the Deceased
Others
Additional Notes
Passwords Needed
Documents Needed
Social Media Messages (Facebook, etc...)
Transportation
Verify that both friends and family have arranged transportation to the funeral.
Apparel
For Family Members
For the Deceased
Graphic / Printing
Pictures
Display Boards and Easels
Take-Away Memorial Pamphlet
Two-Sided Memorial Pamphlet
- Picture
- Vitals and Data
- Poem
- Psalm 23 or Other Scripture
Obituary
- Notification Entity
- Written Copy
Prayer Cards
- Funeral Home
- Other
Signature Book and Pen
Thank You Notes
Funeral Arrangements
Church
- Presider
- Co-Celebrant
- Pastor
Tips
- Pastor
- Musicians
- Other
Herse
- Driver and Vehicle
Floral
- Location
- Contact
- Specifications
Funeral Home
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Embalming
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Casket Rental
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Cremation
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
- Services
- Urn
- Columbarium
- Mausoleum
Burial
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Burial Location
- Location
- Contact
- Land Plot Purchase
- Head Stone
Wake Viewing
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Post Wake Gathering
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Funeral Strategy
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
- Miscellaneous Participants
- Readers
- Readings
- Poll-Bearers
- Eulogy
- Other
Post-Funeral Gathering
- Schedule
- Location
- Contact
Music
Musicians
Music Selections
Miscellaneous and Business Matters
Life Insurance
Health Insurance
Social Security Benefits
Other Benefits
Credit Cards
Loans
Gifts
Physical Health
Psychological / Mental Helth
Spiritual Health
Other
Work / Business Arrangements
- Employer
- Clients
- Strategic Partners
Action Items
- Family Member's Requests
- Friend's Requests
- Other's Requests
- Other