Planning a funeral is a daunting task. There are many details to arrange, and dealing with notifying loved ones, making myriad decisions, planning a wake, and trying to decide how to pay for everything can quickly become overwhelming. Learn more today: (610) 991-8842.

This funeral planning checklist provides general guidelines to help you move through the planning process, and gives you a helpful framework for decision-making:

Six Things to Do to When Planning a Funeral

1. Choose whether you prefer burial or cremation.
Deciding whether to bury or cremate your loved one leads naturally to other details and decisions. If you choose to bury your loved one, for example, you need to select a casket and make the arrangements for the burial vault, opening the grave, and other burial details. If you choose cremation, you need to select an urn.

2. Decide whether to have a funeral or memorial, or forego the service.
Do you want to have a funeral or memorial service for the deceased? If you have budgetary concerns, forego the funeral or memorial service, and have a wake or other commemorative gathering at a later time. If you want to have a funeral or memorial, decide where and when to have it, whether or not to have a viewing, who should lead the service, and who should speak.

3. Select a final disposition for the remains.
You’ve already decided on burial or cremation, but now you need to select a final disposition for the remains. For burial, this means finding a burial plot or mausoleum, making arrangements to open the grave, arranging transportation for your loved one’s remains, and deciding whether to have a graveside service. If you choose cremation, decide whether you want to inter the remains, scatter them somewhere special, or keep them in a decorative urn with the family. Selecting a final disposition typically leads to the final arrangements for your service.

4. Make a decision about flower arrangements or charitable donations.
Decide whether you want to have flower arrangements, or whether you’d rather have charitable donations in lieu of flowers. Notify family and friends what you prefer; do this in your funeral announcement or obituary, or do it personally.

5. Compose and publish an obituary.
Prepare the obituary. Include details of when and where your loved one was born, when and where your loved one passed, and whether he or she is survived by any family members. Include information about memberships and associations, hobbies, or other personal details to commemorate the deceased. Decide where to place the obituary; many families choose to place it in the local and regional papers as well as on the Internet.

6. Arrange details for a wake or gathering to commemorate the deceased.
Some families choose to have a wake or gathering after the funeral or memorial service is complete in order to commemorate the loved one. This is typically a more casual gathering where people share stories and celebrate the life of the deceased. A wake often includes food and drink, and may be held at a family member’s home, a private function room in a restaurant, or a community center or local gathering facility.

Call our team today to begin planning: (610) 991-8842.