Funeral and memorial planning include many decisions that are often decided quickly and in the moment. Often, the wishes of the deceased are not able to be taken into account because decisions made by loved ones under time constraints and grief are often not the most well thought out. Pre-planning a funeral using a funeral planning checklist can help you be remembered as you choose. Using a funeral planning checklist can also help create special memories, as families discuss and choose meaningful options together.
Below is a funeral planning checklist that tries to incorporate many of the elements of a wake, funeral and more. However, you may find that it does not include everything you wish to see in your own planning. Every family has unique, special memories they might like to see remembered in a memorial ceremony or display.
There are many more ideas and options out there then covered here, but hopefully this checklist will be a good starting point. Also, there may be items on the list you may not be interested in. Please use this planning checklist as a means to begin discussions with family and loved ones, to create the memories of your choice.
Download our free printable funeral planning checklist here:
Pre-planning
- Prepare last Will and Testament
- Decide on organ & body donation
- List people to be contacted, and contact information
- Collect personal social media information
- Collect information for obituary
- Choose charity for donations
- Choose funeral home
- Prepare funeral plan
- Pre-pay or purchase funeral insurance
Notifications
- Contact friends and family
- Notify religious organization
- Write obituary
- Notify social media accounts
The Wake
- Choose burial or cremation
- Choose casket or cremation container
- Choose burial vault or cremation urn
- If burial, decide if embalming
- Select who will prepare the deceased
- Choose clothing and styling
- Decide on type of viewing, if desired
- Decide on location of wake
- Choose decor for wake, including:
- music
- flowers
- photos
- candles
- special items
- Select memorial register
The Funeral Service
- Decide on the location of the service
- Decide on the type of service
- Choose notification / invitation method
- Select programs
- Select memorial cards
- Decide if there will be a speech or eulogy
- Choose scripture or literature, which may include:
- prayers
- poetry
- scripture readings
- Choose funeral music taking into consideration:
- type of music
- instruments
- specific songs
- Participants
- Select officiator or clergy
- Choose readers
- Choose people to bring the gifts to alter
- Select musicians
- Select pallbearers
- Choose decor for funeral service, which may include:
- Flowers
- Plants
- Candles
- Photos
- Displays
- Special items
- Military decorations
- Flags
- Medals
- Symbols
Transportation
Transportation may be needed from funeral home to funeral service location and from funeral service to cemetery. This may include:
- Transportation for the deceased
- Family
- Clergy or officiator
- Pallbearers
- Directions for guests
The Final Resting Place
- Choose cemetery plot, mausoleum, or cremation plot
- Choose burial vault or cremation urn
- Purchase plots
- Choose memorial or grave marker
- Choose inscription
- Decide on grave-side ceremony or committal service
- Choose Grave side ceremony officiator
The Funeral Reception
- Choose a location
- Select food
- Provide directions for guests
- Invite guests
After the Funeral Service
- If a memorial service is desired items to consider include:
- Grief support
- Thank you notes
- Choose special mementos to keep
