FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There can be as many as 200 tasks when planning a funeral. Many of them are listed below. Our Funeral Director will coordinate most of these for you, after meeting with you at a private consultation.

Obtain the signature of the attending physician, coroner or medical examiner on the required certificate; file the certificate with the registrar of vital statistics where the death occurred

Ensure compliance with government regulators

Transfer the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home (local or out of town)

Obtain family history

Make decisions regarding the remains of the deceased

Determine the budget (if funeral has not been pre-arranged)

Determine the funeral or memorial service location(s), such as church, chapel, or graveside

Plan for a viewing/visitation and determine open or closed casket

Choose the final resting place (cemetery, mausoleum, private land, etc.)

Make necessary arrangements with clergy, church and cemetery officials

Obtain certified copies of the death certificate, as necessary

Procure the burial permit and file with the cemetery

Select and purchase the casket, outer burial container or urn

Select a monument/marker

Order and schedule the delivery of all products/merchandise

Compose and submit newspaper and other media notices

Choose clothing & jewelry

Select poems, scripture, readings

Select music: taped, live musicians, etc.

Choose pallbearers

Arrange for transportation of the deceased

Secure flower/equipment trucks, as necessary

Purchase acknowledgement cards, register books, memorial folders, etc.

Purchase a door wreath & flowers

Arrange for family transportation

Complete social security papers and secure social security benefits

Secure Veterans benefits (if applicable)

Secure life insurance benefits (if applicable)

Contact insurance agents

Complete accounting, clerical and filing work

Answer telephone calls

Notify other organizations that your loved one participated in

Deliver flowers to local nursing homes, hospitals etc. following the funeral