Organizing and orchestrating a funeral requires a variety of time-sensitive tasks and extensive knowledge of the deceased. If you’re in charge of planning by yourself or with a small group of people, a funeral checklist of duties helps keep matters in order and on track.

Steps to Plan a Funeral

Funerals are typically held anywhere from one to five days after a person dies, but unique circumstances can delay a funeral for weeks or even months. Make sure you understand funeral etiquette from the deceased’s belief system, and you will want to go through the following steps:

1. Notify friends and family members of the death.
2. Choose the burial method for your loved one.
3. Talk to the funeral home and cemetery you’ll be using about what’s included in their services.
4. Set a date and time for the funeral.
5. Make a funeral budget that includes how much money you have to spend and a list of funeral costs.
6. Enlist the help of friends and family members in choosing the funeral details and planning the funeral reception.
7. Get a death certificate and create an obituary using an obituary template.
8. Create funeral programs or memorial cards for guests.
9. Choose what you’ll wear to the funeral.
10. Host and attend the funeral.
11. Host and attend the funeral reception.
12. Send thank you notes for funeral flowers and planning volunteers.

This is a simplified list to provide information as to what is involved with planning a funeral. Keep in mind that you have a lot of options in terms of your budget, including obtaining the casket that is going to be used online, rather then from the funeral home directly. This will ultimately save you thousands of dollars and help make the planning experience less stressful. If you want guidance on obtaining a casket and with other aspects of funeral arrangement, visit Casket Emporium.