Checklist
Track the tasks that need to be done after the passing of a loved one.
Checklist items are personalized by your answers.
You can review your questionnaire answers in the "Your Options" page.
If your loved one died at home, you should tell the police in order to establish a time of death.
Make a list of the closest relatives and friends who should be called right now – and enlist their help in spreading the word to others.
This is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make – and some providers may specialize in services that are important to you.
There are many different types of memorial services. Funerals are formal commemorations of the death; viewings and visitations are less-formal gatherings to offer condolences to the bereaved and memories of the departed. We explain the differences and help you figure out which is right for you.
If you want a religious service, you need to contact the house of worship as quickly as possible. For starters, did your loved one attend a specific church or belong to a certain faith?
You may wish to hold a memorial event somewhere other than a church, house of worship or funeral home. Post-funeral receptions often are held at a private home, or event hall; less-formal “celebrations of life” can be held almost anywhere.
A written obituary - published online, in the local newspaper and shared on social media - is still the most effective way to spread the world of your loved one’s passing. It also serves as a lasting memorial and keepsake.
What would your loved one have wanted for flowers and other décor? Did they have a favorite color or flower? You can choose to personalize this aspect as much or as little as you’d like.
Many mourners will graciously send flowers to the services. But would you prefer they do something else to remember your loved one? Is there a charity they’d want to support? If you do want flowers at the services, your funeral director can also help you find local places that accept flowers afterwards, such as nursing homes and churches.
Who arrives when? Where are they staying? Bringing everyone together can be daunting, so start a spreadsheet or shared online document keeping track of travel itineraries.
Mourning really begins after the services. Now that most of the planning is taken care of, be sure to take a moment to reflect on the person you loved – and how you are reacting to their passing. Be sure to reach out to those around you for support and know that you are not in this alone.
