How to Plan a Funeral: Complete Checklist

Planning a funeral ranks among life’s most difficult responsibilities, combining intense grief with urgent practical decisions. Whether you’re pre-planning your own funeral or arranging services after an unexpected loss, understanding how to plan a funeral with a systematic checklist approach makes this overwhelming task manageable and ensures nothing important gets overlooked.

This comprehensive funeral planning checklist guides you through every step—from the first call to the funeral home through the final memorial service details. Whether planning a traditional burial, cremation, religious service, or celebration of life, this checklist covers essential decisions, legal requirements, and practical considerations to help you create meaningful services while managing logistics efficiently.

Quick Answer: How to plan a funeral checklist includes: 1) Contact funeral home and obtain death certificate, 2) Decide burial vs. cremation, 3) Select casket/urn and service type, 4) Arrange cemetery plot or cremation, 5) Plan service details (readings, music, speakers), 6) Write and publish obituary, 7) Coordinate reception, 8) Handle legal/financial matters. Timeline: 3-7 days typically.

Immediate Steps: First 24-48 Hours After Death

Step 1: Official Death Pronouncement and Documentation

Within Hours of Death:

✓ Call appropriate authority:

• At home: Call hospice (if enrolled) or 911
• At hospital/facility: Staff handles pronouncement
• Unexpected death: Call 911 immediately

✓ Obtain death certificate:

• Physician, coroner, or medical examiner must certify
• Funeral home typically coordinates this process
• Order multiple certified copies (6-10 recommended)

✓ Organ donation decisions (if applicable):

• Must occur immediately if applicable
• Coordinate with medical staff
• Can proceed while planning funeral

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (https://www.nfda.org), securing proper documentation within the first 48 hours prevents delays in funeral planning and legal processes.

Step 2: Contact Funeral Home

Selecting a Funeral Home:

✓ Research options:

• Compare 2-3 local funeral homes
• Check reviews and reputation
• Verify licenses and credentials
• Consider religious/cultural specializations

✓ Initial consultation:

• Discuss service preferences
• Request General Price List (required by law)
• Understand payment options
• Ask about package deals vs. itemized pricing

✓ Body transportation:

• Funeral home retrieves body
• Provide clothing for burial/cremation
• Discuss viewing options

Cost Range: Basic funeral home services: $2,000-$5,000

Step 3: Notify Close Family and Friends

Priority Notifications:

✓ Immediate family first:

• Spouse and children
• Parents and siblings
• Close relatives who should hear directly

✓ Communication method:

• Phone calls for closest relationships
• Email/text for extended circles
• Designate someone to help with calls if needed

✓ Key information to share:

• Fact of death (not excessive details initially)
• Preliminary funeral timing
• How they can help
• Request spreading word to others

What to say at a funeral provides guidance for attendees, while this planning phase focuses on organizers.

Essential Decisions: Days 1-3 of Funeral Planning

Step 4: Choose Burial or Cremation

Key Decision Point:

Factor	Burial	Cremation
Cost	$7,000-$12,000+	$1,000-$3,000 direct
Timeline	5-7 days typical	2-3 days possible
Religious	All major religions accept	Some prohibit
Viewing	More common	Possible before
Flexibility	Plot location fixed	Ashes portable

✓ Consider:

• Deceased’s wishes (if known)
• Religious requirements
• Family traditions
• Budget constraints
• Timeline needs

Cremation vs burial cost comparison provides detailed financial analysis. How long after death is the funeral affects this choice based on timing needs.

Step 5: Select Casket or Urn

For Burial:

✓ Casket options:

• Metal (steel, bronze, copper): $2,000-$10,000+
• Wood (pine, oak, mahogany): $1,500-$8,000+
• Alternative materials: $300-$2,000

✓ Shopping tips:

• Compare funeral home prices with third-party vendors
• Costco, Walmart online often cheaper
• Funeral homes cannot refuse third-party caskets
• Consider biodegradable options for green burial

For Cremation:

✓ Urn selection:

• Basic container: $50-$200
• Decorative urn: $100-$1,000+
• Multiple urns for family members: Budget accordingly
• Burial urn vs. display urn: Different requirements

Step 6: Arrange Cemetery or Crematory Services

Cemetery Arrangements:

✓ Plot purchase or confirmation:

• New plot: $1,000-$4,000+ depending on location
• Verify existing plot ownership and location
• Double-depth plots for couples

✓ Opening and closing services:

• Grave excavation: $1,000-$3,000
• Required for all burials
• Schedule coordination with funeral

✓ Burial vault (often required):

• Basic liner: $700-$1,000
• Full vault: $1,000-$3,000+
• Cemetery policy determines requirements

Cremation Arrangements:

✓ Crematory selection:

• Funeral home coordinates typically
• Direct cremation services available
• Timeline: 24-72 hours usually
• State waiting periods vary

✓ Disposition of ashes:

• Burial in cemetery plot
• Columbarium niche
• Scattering (check local regulations)
• Keeping at home

What is the cheapest way to be buried offers cost-saving strategies for this phase.

Service Planning: Days 2-4 of Funeral Planning

Step 7: Plan Funeral Service Details

Service Type Selection:

✓ Traditional funeral service:

• Viewing/visitation: 2-4 hours before service
• Funeral ceremony: Church, funeral home, or other venue
• Graveside service: At cemetery
• Reception: Following burial

✓ Memorial service:

• No body present (buried/cremated already)
• More flexible timing
• Can be held weeks later
• Often less formal

✓ Celebration of life:

• Focuses on joy and memories
• Less somber than traditional
• May allow brighter colors, casual dress
• Unique to deceased’s personality

Ceremony Elements:

✓ Select officiant:

• Clergy member for religious services
• Funeral celebrant for non-religious
• Family member or friend
• Confirm availability and schedule meeting

✓ Choose readings and music:

• Religious texts or secular poetry
• Favorite songs of deceased
• Live music or recorded
• Process music (entrance/exit)

✓ Designate speakers:

• Eulogy delivery (typically 5-10 minutes)
• Additional remembrances (2-3 people, 2-3 minutes each)
• Ask permission and give advance notice
• Have backup if someone becomes too emotional

✓ Visual elements:

• Photo displays or slideshows
• Memory boards
• Video tributes
• Flowers and decorations

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/shopping-funeral-services) protects consumers in making these service choices.

Step 8: Write and Publish Obituary

Obituary Components:

✓ Essential information:

• Full name and age
• Date and place of death
• Brief life summary
• Survived by (family members)
• Funeral service details
• Memorial donation information

✓ Publication options:

• Local newspapers: $200-$500
• Online obituary sites: Often free
• Funeral home website: Usually included
• Social media: Immediate and free

✓ Timing:

• Submit 2-3 days before service
• Allows time for editing
• Gives people notice to attend

Cost-Saving Tip: Newspapers charge by word/line. Keep concise or use online-only options.

Step 9: Coordinate Reception or Gathering

Post-Service Meal Planning:

✓ Venue selection:

• Church fellowship hall
• Funeral home facilities
• Restaurant private room
• Family home
• Community center

✓ Food arrangements:

• Catered meal: $15-$30 per person
• Potluck contributions from family/friends
• Simple refreshments (coffee, desserts)
• Restaurant gathering (guests pay own)

✓ Guest count estimate:

• Base on attendance expectations
• Plan for 50-70% of service attendees
• Better to over-order slightly

Practical Details: Days 3-5 of Funeral Planning

Step 10: Handle Flowers and Decorations

Flower Arrangements:

✓ Casket spray:

• Main floral arrangement on casket
• Ordered by immediate family typically
• $200-$500 range

✓ Standing sprays and wreaths:

• Ordered by extended family, friends
• Displayed at service
• $100-$300 each

✓ Alternative to flowers:

• Request donations to charity instead
• Specify preferred organization in obituary
• Reduces waste and honors cause

Tip: Coordinate with one florist for consistency. Many offer funeral packages.

Step 11: Arrange Transportation

Transportation Needs:

✓ Hearse:

• Included in most funeral packages
• Transports casket to cemetery
• $300-$500 if separate charge

✓ Limousines (optional):

• For immediate family
• $200-$400 per vehicle
• Consider family vehicles instead to save money

✓ Procession coordination:

• Funeral home typically organizes
• Police escort in some areas
• Traffic management

Step 12: Select Headstone or Memorial Marker

Monument Planning:

✓ Types of markers:

• Flat markers: $500-$2,000
• Upright monuments: $1,500-$8,000+
• Custom designs: $5,000-$20,000+

✓ Timing consideration:

• Can be ordered immediately or later
• Installation occurs months after burial
• Ground must settle first (6-12 months)

✓ Design elements:

• Names and dates
• Epitaph or inscription
• Religious symbols
• Photographs (laser-etched)

How long does it take to get a headstone after death explains the typical 6-week to 6-month timeline.

Legal and Financial Matters in Funeral Planning

Step 13: Gather Important Documents

Essential Paperwork:

✓ Death certificate copies:

• Order 6-10 certified copies
• Needed for: banks, insurance, social security, property transfers
• Cost: $10-$30 per copy

✓ Legal documents:

• Will and estate planning documents
• Life insurance policies
• Social Security information
• Military discharge papers (if veteran)
• Property deeds and titles

✓ Financial account information:

• Bank accounts
• Investment accounts
• Credit cards
• Loans and debts

Step 14: Notify Important Organizations

Required Notifications:

✓ Government agencies:

• Social Security Administration
• Department of Veterans Affairs (if applicable)
• State vital records office
• Medicare/Medicaid

✓ Financial institutions:

• Banks and credit unions
• Credit card companies
• Mortgage lenders
• Investment firms

✓ Insurance companies:

• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Property insurance
• Auto insurance

✓ Other organizations:

• Employers or former employers
• Professional associations
• Clubs and organizations
• Subscription services

Step 15: Payment Planning

Funeral Cost Management:

✓ Payment sources:

• Life insurance proceeds
• Deceased’s bank accounts (with proper authority)
• Family contributions
• Veterans benefits (if eligible)
• Funeral financing/payment plans

✓ Average costs breakdown:

• Funeral home services: $2,000-$5,000
• Casket/urn: $500-$5,000
• Cemetery costs: $2,000-$8,000
• Reception: $300-$1,500
• Total typical range: $7,000-$12,000

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (https://www.consumerfinance.gov), consumers have rights to itemized pricing and can decline unnecessary services.

Pre-Planning Your Own Funeral

Benefits of Pre-Planning

Why Plan Ahead:

✓ Reduces family burden:

• Eliminates difficult decisions during grief
• Prevents family disagreements
• Ensures your wishes are known and honored

✓ Financial advantages:

• Lock in current prices (inflation protection)
• Spread costs over time with payment plans
• Shop around without time pressure
• Potential Medicaid spend-down strategy

✓ Personal control:

• Choose exactly what you want
• Reflect your personality and values
• Make thoughtful rather than rushed decisions

Pre-Planning Checklist

Steps to Pre-Plan:

✓ Document your wishes:

• Burial or cremation preference
• Service type and location
• Music, readings, speakers
• Obituary information
• Memorial donation preferences

✓ Select and prepay (optional):

• Choose funeral home
• Select products and services
• Establish prepayment account or trust
• Understand cancellation policies

✓ Communicate plans:

• Share information with family
• Give copies to executor
• Store documents accessibly
• Review and update periodically

Do you have to be embalmed is an important pre-planning decision that affects costs and religious requirements.

Common Funeral Planning Questions

How long does it take to plan a funeral?

Most funerals are planned in 3-7 days, though this varies based on circumstances. Religious requirements, family travel needs, and autopsy delays can shorten or extend this timeline. Pre-planned funerals can proceed more quickly since major decisions are already made.

Can you plan a funeral without a funeral home?

Yes, in most states families can handle funeral arrangements themselves, though it’s complex. You must understand state laws regarding body transportation, burial permits, and disposition requirements. Most families find funeral homes worth the cost for expertise and logistical support.

What if you can’t afford a funeral?

Options include: direct cremation or burial (simplest, cheapest), payment plans from funeral homes, crowdfunding, county indigent burial assistance, veterans benefits, or using life insurance proceeds. How much does it cost to be buried details all cost considerations.

Do you need a funeral director?

Not legally required in most states, but highly recommended. Funeral directors handle complex logistics, legal paperwork, body care, and coordination that most families find overwhelming during grief. Their expertise prevents costly mistakes and timing problems.

How do you choose between funeral homes?

Compare prices using General Price Lists (legally required), check online reviews, verify licenses, ask about religious/cultural experience, tour facilities, and trust your comfort level with staff. Get itemized quotes from 2-3 homes before deciding.

What happens if family members disagree on funeral plans?

The person with legal authority (usually spouse, then adult children) makes final decisions. Deceased’s written wishes should be honored when they exist. Family meetings, compromise, and focusing on deceased’s likely preferences help resolve conflicts. Consider having mediator present for difficult situations.

Can you have a funeral without a body present?

Yes, memorial services occur without the body (already buried or cremated, or body not recovered). These provide grief support and celebration of life without time pressure of body preservation. Many families find memorial services less stressful than traditional funerals.

Funeral Planning Timeline Overview

Complete Planning Timeline:

Timeframe	Tasks
0-24 hours	Death pronouncement, contact funeral home, notify immediate family
1-2 days	Meet with funeral director, choose burial/cremation, select casket/urn
2-3 days	Plan service details, write obituary, arrange cemetery/crematory
3-4 days	Finalize reception plans, coordinate flowers, arrange transportation
4-5 days	Viewing/visitation (if held)
5-7 days	Funeral service and burial typically occur
After service	Handle legal notifications, financial matters, headstone ordering

Related Resources

Additional Helpful Articles:

• What to wear to a funeral – Appropriate attire guidance
• What to bring when visiting a grave – Post-funeral cemetery visits
• Can you visit any cemetery – Cemetery access rules

Final Thoughts on Funeral Planning

Planning a funeral, whether for yourself or a loved one, requires balancing practical decisions with emotional needs during an extraordinarily difficult time. This checklist provides structure for the process, ensuring important steps aren’t overlooked while allowing flexibility for personal preferences and circumstances.

Remember that there’s no single “right” way to plan a funeral. Services range from simple and economical to elaborate and expensive, from traditional religious ceremonies to casual celebration of life gatherings. The best funeral honors the deceased meaningfully while meeting the family’s needs and budget.

Use this checklist as a guide, adapt it to your specific situation, and don’t hesitate to ask funeral professionals for help with unfamiliar aspects. Their experience helps families navigate this process daily, and most genuinely want to help you create meaningful services during your time of loss.