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The
following checklist may help you or a family member organize the details for
the funeral arrangements, visitation and funeral service.
IMMEDIATE
CONCERNS
q
People to notify ~ Call funeral
home, clergy, relatives, friends.
q
Pre-Arrangements ~ Check to see
if
pre-arrangements are on file at the funeral home.
ITEMS
NEEDED FOR ARRANGEMENTS
q
Photograph ~ Provide
photograph for identification,
and website.
q
Social Security Number ~ Provide social
security number for the
death certificate.
q
Date of birth ~ Confirm month,
day and year of birth.
q
Parents Names ~ Confirm
correct spelling of decedent’s
mother’s and father’s name.
q
Veterans Discharge Papers ~ Locate original or
copy of the discharge papers.
q
Clothing ~ Complete
outfit, jewelry and personal cosmetics.
ARRANGEMENTS
q
Vital Statistics ~ Provide
information for death
certificate and newspaper.
q
Visitation ~ Date and
Time_______________________
q
Funeral Service ~ Time and
Place_______________________
q
Clergy ~ Confirm Date
and Time.
q
Cemetery Property ~ Provide
cemetery information:
Location: Lot # and Grave#
____________________________
q
Cemetery Property ~ Arrange to
purchase property.
q
Merchandise Selections ~ Casket,
vault or urn.
q
Death Certificates ~ Decide on
number needed.
q
Flowers ~ Select and
order.
q
Prayer Cards ~ Select prayer cards.
q
Service Folders ~ Decide if
service folders will be used during the funeral service.
q
Remembering Book ~ Remembering
Book request for visitation.
q
Memorial Contributions ~ Select an
organization; include address.
q
Acknowledgment Cards ~ Select Thank
You Cards.
q
Limousine ~ Request the
use of a limousine on the day of the funeral service.
q
Reception ~ Receive
catering options for reception.
q
Veterans ~ Request flag
to be present in visitation room.
Request Honor Guard.
q
Children ~ Request
Children’s Orientation Program.
q
Website ~ Request
information and light a candle on funeral home website.
q
Out of town newspapers ~ Provide name
of town and state for obituary.
q
Obituary ~ Provide name
of newspaper that obituary
should appear
in.
q
Death Notice ~ Provide
survivor information and service details.
q
Picture Boards ~ Take picture
boards home to arrange
photographs on.
q
Personal keepsake ~ Share with the
funeral director, my wish
for a personal keepsake; such as a lock of hair.
q
Payment to the funeral
home ~ Arrange for payment.
After Funeral Arrangements
q
Photomontage (Collage) ~ Arrange
photographs on funeral home picture boards.
q
Music ~ Decide on
favorite music to be played during visitation.
q
Personal Items ~ Choose
collectibles to display in visitation room.
q
Food ~ Arrange for a
meal between visiting hours and after the funeral.
q
Out of Town Guests ~ Make
arrangements for out of town quests to be picked up at the airport and/or for
hotel accommodations.
q
Notify ~ Schools,
employers, banks, lawyers and insurance companies of the death.
VISITATION
q
Arriving Early ~
Ask all family members to arrive one half hour early.
q
Photographs and Collectibles
~ Arrange photos and collectibles in visitation room.
q
Keepsake ~ Place personal
item in casket (or have cremated with.)
q
Children ~
Assign an adult to watch over the children
during visiting hours.
q
Personal Comfort ~ Wear comfortable clothes
and shoes during
visiting hours.
q
Flowers ~ Decide which
flowers will go to church, take home or donate to a local nursing home.
FUNERAL SERVICE DETAILS
q
Clergy ~ Meet
with clergy to plan funeral service. Decide on offering to clergy.
q
Pallbearers ~ Ask
4-6 family members or friends to be pallbearers.
q
Eulogy ~ Ask
a family member or friend.
q
Readings ~ Ask
a family member of friend.
q
Music/Musicians ~ Choose music.
Performed live or recorded.
q
Graveside Committal Service
~ Choose appropriate
clothes in case
of inclement weather.
q
Transportation~ Limousine or
family car.
q
Meeting Place ~ Meet at
funeral home or at church.
q
Donation Envelopes ~ Available at
church.
AFTER THE
FUNERAL
q
Death Certificates ~ Order additional copies as needed.
q
Acknowledgement Cards ~ Order additional cards as
