Checklist

Funeral planning checklist.

A practical starting point for organizing funeral, cremation, burial, memorial, document, and family decisions in one shared place.

Start planning How to prepare

Before choosing services

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Confirm whether there are written wishes or prearrangements.

Identify the legal next of kin or authorized decision-maker.

Gather key personal details for the death certificate and obituary.

Choose whether the family is considering burial, cremation, donation, or a memorial without body present.

Provider and price questions

Request a General Price List from each funeral home or cremation provider you are considering.

Ask for an itemized estimate before selecting packages or optional services.

Confirm what is handled by the provider and what is billed by a cemetery, venue, florist, caterer, or third party.

Save provider responses, availability, and follow-up questions in one record.

Service

Ceremony details

Venue, clergy or celebrant, readings, music, flowers, livestreaming, printed programs, obituary, pallbearers, photos, and accessibility needs.

People

Family coordination

Travel, meals, child care, elder care, house sitting, notifications, thank-yous, and one shared source for decisions.

Later

After the funeral

Death certificates, account notifications, benefits, final invoices, headstones or monuments, interment of ashes, and grief support.

This checklist is general information. It is not legal, financial, tax, medical, or religious advice. Confirm requirements with the relevant provider, cemetery, crematory, public office, or professional.