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