Free Printable Funeral Planning Checklist

It outlines essential steps, including choosing a funeral home, identifying a main contact person, gathering important documents, and making financial preparations. The post details various disposition options such as traditional burial, cremation, green burial, and anatomical donation. It also covers service and memorial options, emphasizing personalization through location, speakers, decorations, and music. Finally, it discusses considerations for the place of final rest.

Free Printable Funeral Planning Checklist

Planning a funeral is a task that many find challenging, particularly during times of grief. To ease this burden, having a comprehensive checklist can be invaluable. 

This guide will help you navigate the process by outlining the essential steps to consider, from pre-funeral preparations to personalisation options, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Preparations Before the Funeral Plan Meeting

Before you begin detailed planning for a funeral, some initial preparations are crucial. These steps help lay the foundation for the decisions you will make and ensure the process goes smoothly.

Download our free printable funeral planning checklist.

1. Choose a Funeral Home

• Research and Compare: Look at different funeral homes in your area. Consider factors such as location, services offered, and costs.
• Visit and Interview: Schedule visits to a few funeral homes. Meet with the funeral directors to ask questions about their services and fees.
• Read Reviews: Check online reviews or ask for recommendations from friends and family.

2. Identify the Main Contact Person

• Select a Responsible Person: Choose someone who can communicate effectively with the funeral home and make decisions as needed.
• Inform the Chosen Person: Ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and have all necessary information.

3. Gather Important Documents

• Locate Legal Documents: Find the will, insurance policies, birth and marriage certificates, and any pre-arranged funeral plans.
• Make Copies: Have multiple copies of these documents to provide to the necessary parties.

4. Financial Preparations

• Check Insurance Policies: Review any life insurance or final expense policies that can cover funeral costs.
• Consider Payment Options: Decide whether to prepay for funeral services or set aside funds specifically for this purpose.

Type of Disposition

Choosing the type of disposition is one of the fundamental decisions in funeral planning. This choice determines what will happen to the body after death and can be influenced by personal, religious, or cultural preferences.

1. Traditional Burial

• Casket Burial: The body is placed in a casket and buried in a cemetery plot.
• Grave Site: Typically marked with a headstone or monument.
• Vault or Liner: Often required by cemeteries to prevent the ground from settling.

2. Cremation

• Direct Cremation: The body is cremated shortly after death without a formal viewing or service.
• Cremation with Service: A memorial service can be held before or after the cremation.
• Ashes: Can be kept in an urn, scattered in a meaningful location, or placed in a columbarium.

3. Green Burial

• Eco-Friendly Option: Uses biodegradable materials and avoids embalming chemicals.
• Natural Settings: Often conducted in a natural preserve or green cemetery.
• Minimal Environmental Impact: Aims to have a low impact on the environment.

4. Anatomical Donation

• Body Donation: The body is donated to a medical school or research facility.
• Post-Research: After research, remains are often cremated and returned to the family.

Considerations for Disposition

1. Personal Preferences

• Document Wishes: Clearly state your preferences in your funeral plan.
• Discuss with Family: Ensure family members are aware of your choices.

2. Religious and Cultural Practices

• Adherence to Traditions: Some religions and cultures have specific requirements for disposition.
• Consult Religious Leaders: Seek guidance if unsure about traditional practices.

3. Environmental Impact

• Sustainability: Consider the ecological footprint of your choice.
• Green Options: Green burials and certain cremation methods have less environmental impact.

4. Cost Implications

• Comparative Costs: Traditional burials tend to be more expensive than cremation or green burials.
• Financial Planning: Budget accordingly and explore insurance or prepayment plans.

Service or Memorial Options

Selecting the type of service or memorial is an essential aspect of funeral planning. This decision influences how family and friends will honor and remember the deceased. 

There are various options to consider, each offering unique ways to celebrate a life.

Types of Services and Memorials

1. Visitation, Viewing, Wake, or Rosary

• Visitation: An informal gathering where family and friends can pay their respects.
• Viewing: The body is present, allowing loved ones to say their goodbyes.
• Wake: Often held at home, includes prayers, storytelling, and other customs.
• Rosary: A Catholic tradition involving the recitation of the Rosary prayers.

2. Traditional Funeral Service

• With Body Present: Can include an open or closed casket.
• Ceremonial: May involve religious rituals, readings, hymns, and eulogies.
• Location: Usually held in a funeral home, church, or other chosen venue.

3. Graveside Service

• Simple Ceremony: Held at the cemetery before burial.
• Shorter Duration: Typically more concise than a full funeral service.
• Intimate Setting: Allows for a more private farewell.

4. Memorial Service

• After Burial or Cremation: The body is not present.
• Flexible Timing: Can be scheduled days, weeks, or even months after death.
• Celebration of Life: Focuses on memories and the legacy of the deceased.

5. Home Funeral Service and/or Burial

• Personal Environment: Conducted in the home of the deceased or a family member.
• Hands-On Approach: Family and friends take an active role in preparations and the service.
• Intimate and Personalized: Allows for a highly customized ceremony.

6. Green or Eco-Friendly Funeral Service

• Natural Materials: Uses biodegradable caskets or shrouds.
• Minimalistic Approach: Often avoids embalming and other chemical processes.
• Eco-Conscious Venues: Held in natural settings or green cemeteries.

7. Scattering Ceremony

• Ashes Scattered: At a meaningful location, such as a favorite park or beach.
• Symbolic Ritual: Can include readings, songs, and personal tributes.
• Permits Required: Ensure legality by obtaining necessary permissions.

8. Family Gathering

• Informal Setting: A casual get-together to share stories and memories.
• Flexible Format: Can include a meal, slideshow, or simple remembrance activities.
• Comfort and Support: Focuses on providing emotional support to loved ones.

9. Reception or Fellowship Meal

• Post-Service Gathering: Held after the funeral or memorial service.
• Shared Meal: Offers a chance to gather, share stories, and celebrate the life of the deceased.
• Location: Can be at a family home, community center, or restaurant.

Personalization Options

1. Location

• Special Places: Choose a venue that reflects the deceased’s interests (e.g., parks, gardens, theaters).
• Alternate Locations: Have a backup plan for outdoor settings in case of inclement weather.

2. Speakers and Participants

• Clergy or Celebrant: Lead the service with prayers, readings, and eulogies.
• Family and Friends: Encourage loved ones to share memories and stories.
• Pallbearers and Assistants: Select individuals who were close to the deceased.

3. Decorations and Music

• Floral Arrangements: Use favorite flowers or colors of the deceased.
• Music Selection: Include meaningful songs or hymns, whether live or recorded.

4. Multimedia

• Memorial Video: Create a video with photos and music celebrating the life of the deceased.
• Online Memorials: Set up a virtual memorial page for sharing memories and condolences.

5. Charitable Contributions

• Memorial Donations: Request donations to a charity or cause important to the deceased instead of flowers.

Personalisation Ideas

Personalizing a funeral or memorial service adds a meaningful touch that reflects the life and personality of the deceased. 

It helps family and friends connect with their memories and celebrate the unique characteristics and passions of their loved one.

Personalization Ideas

1. Location

• Special Venues: Choose locations that held significance for the deceased, such as parks, gardens, golf courses, beaches, theaters, art galleries, churches, or stadiums.
• Backup Plans: For outdoor locations, ensure you have an alternate venue in case of bad weather.

2. Music

• Favorite Songs: Play songs that were significant to the deceased.
• Live Performances: Hire musicians or have family members perform.
• Custom Playlists: Create a playlist that reflects the person’s tastes and life moments.

3. Flowers and Decorations

• Favorite Flowers: Use blooms that the deceased loved or that hold special meaning.
• Personal Mementos: Include items such as photographs, medals, trophies, or personal belongings in the decor.
• Theme Decorations: Decorate according to a theme that was important to the deceased, like a favorite hobby or color scheme.

4. Readings and Prayers

• Poetry and Literature: Select poems or book passages that the deceased loved.
• Religious Texts: Include readings from scriptures or religious texts that were meaningful to the deceased.
• Personal Letters: Have family members read letters they wrote to the deceased or received from them.

5. Memorial Video

• Photo Slideshows: Compile photographs into a slideshow set to music.
• Video Clips: Include home videos or recorded messages.
• Professional Services: Hire a professional to create a high-quality memorial video.

6. Food and Drink

• Favorite Recipes: Serve the deceased’s favorite dishes.
• Potluck: Invite guests to bring dishes, especially those that remind them of the deceased.
• Catering: Hire a caterer to provide a meal that reflects the tastes and preferences of the deceased.

7. Memory Tables

• Display Items: Set up tables with items that represent the deceased’s hobbies, achievements, and interests.
• Guest Contributions: Encourage guests to bring items that remind them of the deceased to add to the display.

8. Keepsakes

• Personalized Mementos: Give guests keepsakes like bookmarks, candles, or seed packets personalized with the deceased’s name and dates.
• Memory Books: Provide a book where guests can write down their memories and condolences.

9. Activities

• Memory Sharing: Organize a time for guests to share their memories and stories about the deceased.
• Interactive Displays: Set up areas where guests can write messages on cards or leave small tokens.

10. Charitable Donations

• In Lieu of Flowers: Request donations to a charity or cause that was important to the deceased.
• Memorial Funds: Set up a memorial fund to support a specific project or organization.

Place of Final Rest

Choosing the place of final rest is a significant part of funeral planning, providing a permanent location where family and friends can visit to remember and honor the deceased. 

This decision often reflects personal, religious, and cultural preferences, and there are various options to consider.

Options for Final Resting Places

1. Burial in a Cemetery

• Private Cemetery: Burial in a family or private cemetery often involves purchasing a plot and may include ongoing maintenance fees.
• Veterans Cemetery: For those who have served in the military, veterans cemeteries provide honored burial options.
• Public Cemetery: Most common option with various plot sizes and locations within the cemetery.

2. Scattering of Ashes

• At Sea: Ashes can be scattered at sea, often requiring a chartered boat and compliance with maritime regulations.
• In a Park or Natural Setting: Ashes can be scattered in locations such as national parks, private gardens, or other meaningful outdoor spaces, with permission from relevant authorities.
• On Private Property: With the landowner’s permission, ashes can be scattered on private property, including family homes or farms.

3. Columbarium

• Niche in a Columbarium: A structure designed to hold urns containing cremated remains, typically located in cemeteries or churches.

4. Urn Burial

• Burial of Ashes: Cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery plot, often alongside other family members.

5. Unique Options

• Keepsake Jewelry: Ashes can be incorporated into jewelry, such as pendants or rings, allowing loved ones to keep a part of the deceased close.
• Memorial Trees: Ashes can be mixed with soil and used to plant a tree, creating a living memorial.
• Space Burial: A portion of the ashes can be sent into space, providing a unique and memorable tribute.

Considerations for Choosing the Final Resting Place

1. Personal Preferences

• Discuss with Family: Ensure that family members are aware of the deceased’s wishes regarding their final resting place.
• Document Choices: Clearly record the chosen option in the funeral plan to avoid confusion or disagreements.

2. Religious and Cultural Practices

• Adhere to Traditions: Follow religious or cultural guidelines that may dictate specific practices for burial or cremation.
• Consult Leaders: Seek advice from religious or community leaders if unsure about traditional requirements.

3. Environmental Impact

• Green Burial Options: Consider environmentally friendly options such as green burials or scattering ashes in natural settings.
• Sustainability: Choose methods that align with the deceased’s environmental values.

4. Legal and Logistical Aspects

• Obtain Permits: Ensure all necessary permissions and permits are acquired for scattering ashes or specific burial methods.
• Plan for Maintenance: Consider the long-term care and upkeep of the burial site or memorial.

5. Cost Implications

• Compare Costs: Evaluate the expenses associated with different burial or cremation options.
• Budget Accordingly: Plan for these costs within the overall funeral budget and consider prepayment or insurance options.

Key Takeaway

Planning a funeral is a comprehensive process that involves making numerous decisions to honor the deceased’s life meaningfully. 

By addressing each aspect from initial preparations and choosing the type of disposition, to selecting service options, personalizing the ceremony, and deciding on the final resting place you can ensure a respectful and memorable tribute. 

Documenting and communicating these choices not only alleviates stress for loved ones during a difficult time but also ensures that the deceased’s wishes are honored. This thoughtful approach provides clarity, comfort, and lasting memories for all involved.