Complete Funeral Planning Checklist (2026)

When someone passes away, there are several practical tasks that need attention relatively quickly. It is normal to feel overwhelmed — take things one step at a time, and accept help from family and friends.

• Obtain a legal pronouncement of death. If the death occurs at home, call 911 or the decedent's physician. If it occurs in a hospital or care facility, staff will handle this. A physician, coroner, or medical examiner must officially pronounce the death.
• Contact close family members and friends. Notify immediate family first, then close friends. You may want to designate one person to make calls to extended family and friends to share the workload.
• Locate important documents. Look for: a will or trust, pre-paid funeral plans, life insurance policies, veterans discharge papers (DD-214), Social Security card, and birth certificate. These will be needed in the coming days.
• Secure the deceased's home. If the person lived alone, make sure the home is locked and secure. Arrange for pet care if needed. Collect any mail.
• Contact the deceased's employer. If applicable, notify the employer to stop direct deposits and inquire about any death benefits, life insurance through the employer, or pension benefits.

Choosing a funeral home is one of the first significant decisions you will make. Take enough time to make a thoughtful choice:

• Request General Price Lists (GPLs) from at least three funeral homes. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, every funeral home must provide a written price list upon request, including over the phone. Compare prices before committing.
• Choose a funeral home and meet with the funeral director. Bring your GPL comparisons, any pre-planning documents, the deceased's wishes (if known), and a trusted family member or friend for support.
• Decide on disposition method. Burial, cremation, green burial, or donation to medical science. This decision affects many subsequent choices.
• Order death certificates. You will need multiple certified copies — typically 10-15. The funeral home usually handles this on your behalf. Death certificates are needed for insurance claims, bank accounts, property transfers, and other legal matters.
• Place an obituary. Work with the funeral home or write your own for local newspapers and online memorial sites. Include the name, age, date of death, surviving family, and service details.
• Arrange transportation of the body. The funeral home will arrange pickup from the hospital, care facility, or home. If the death occurred out of state, additional arrangements may be needed.

Planning the funeral or memorial service involves many personal decisions. There is no single "right" way to do this — the best service is one that honors the deceased and provides comfort to the living.

• Choose the type of service: Traditional funeral with viewing, memorial service (without the body present), graveside service, celebration of life, or a combination
• Select a venue: Funeral home, house of worship, community center, private home, outdoor location, or the graveside
• Choose a date and time: Consider the availability of key family members, especially those traveling from a distance. Most services are held 3-7 days after death.
• Select a casket or urn. If using a casket, consider purchasing online to save 50-85% compared to funeral home prices. If cremation, choose an urn or alternative vessel.
• Arrange for a celebrant or officiant: Clergy, a civil celebrant, a family friend, or a combination. Discuss the order of service, readings, and any religious or cultural requirements.
• Plan the program: Select readings, music, eulogists, pallbearers, and any special elements (slideshows, memory tables, etc.)
• Order flowers: Decide on arrangements for the casket, venue, and any additional displays
• Arrange for food and reception: If holding a reception after the service, arrange catering or coordinate potluck contributions from friends and community members
• Arrange transportation: For the family, pallbearers, and the procession to the cemetery if applicable

Funeral costs and related financial matters require attention in the days and weeks following the death. Being organized about these tasks can prevent costly oversights.

• Review the funeral home's itemized statement carefully. Ensure every charge matches what you agreed to. Question anything unfamiliar.
• File a life insurance claim. Contact each insurance company with a certified death certificate. Most claims are processed within 30-60 days.
• Notify Social Security. The funeral home may do this on your behalf. A surviving spouse or dependent child may be eligible for a $255 lump-sum death payment and ongoing survivor benefits.
• Apply for veterans burial benefits. If the deceased was a veteran, contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or apply online at va.gov. Benefits can include burial allowance, headstone, and burial in a national cemetery.
• Contact the deceased's bank and financial institutions. Notify them of the death and inquire about any joint accounts, payable-on-death designations, or outstanding debts.
• Review the will or trust. Contact the executor or attorney. Probate proceedings may need to be initiated depending on the estate.
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions, memberships, and recurring payments.
• Contact the deceased's health insurance provider to terminate coverage and resolve any outstanding claims.

After the funeral or memorial service, there are still several important tasks to complete:

• Send thank-you notes. Acknowledge those who sent flowers, food, donations, or attended the service. While not required, it is a thoughtful gesture that many families appreciate completing.
• File final tax returns. A final federal and state income tax return must be filed for the year of death. Depending on the estate, an estate tax return may also be required. Consider consulting a tax professional.
• Transfer or close accounts. Utility accounts, phone service, email accounts, social media profiles, and other accounts may need to be closed or transferred.
• Update legal documents. If the deceased was named as a beneficiary, executor, or power of attorney in your own documents, update those documents.
• Address the estate. Work with the executor and any legal counsel to settle the estate, distribute assets, and resolve outstanding obligations.
• Take care of yourself. Grief is a process, not an event. Consider joining a grief support group, speaking with a counselor, or simply giving yourself permission to feel whatever you are feeling. There is no timeline for grief.