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Checklist
Mark complete the tasks that need to be done after the passing of a loved one.
Budget
Learn more about funeral costs, including what isn’t included in funeral homes’ prices, and compare different plan options.
Learn about funeral costs

If the death occured in a hospital or under hospice care, the staff there will notify authorities and you can check this off your list.
If your loved one died outside of a hospital or hospice care, a family member or friend will need to notify authorities. Just call 911. That allows for formal reporting of the death, issuing of the death certificate, and investigation when the circumstances are anything other than natural causes.
Natural and expected
The death occurred of natural causes like age or diseaseWhat to say
Natural and unexpected
The death was probably due to age or disease but was suddenWhat to say
Unnatural
The death was due to an acccident or suicideWhat to say



Make a list of the people who should be called right now—and enlist their help in spreading the word to others. Start with closest relatives and friends, before anyone posts the news to social media. If your loved one had a Facebook account, you may look into having his or her profile turned into a living memorial.
Family & close friends
Your loved one's closest family and friends deserve personal phone calls as quickly as possible.What to say
Distant relatives and friends
This group can be notified by email or text message. Post on social media after this group has advance notice.What to write
Everyone else
Anyone other than family, close friends, and business partners can be notified using social media and an obituary.What to post to social media



Funerals are expensive and the pricing can be hard to understand. We can help you make sense of it all and show you how you can save money. Visit the Budget section to learn more about funeral pricing, including how hidden costs can drive the price up and the difference in costs between burial and cremation. Use our tips below to see how you can save money.
Set a budget
Setting a budget can help guide you through the process and avoid emotional overspendingWhat to do
- Decide how much you can spend
- Learn about hidden costs and fees
- Don’t share your budget with the funeral home up front
- Bring a trusted friend with you when making decisions
Save at the funeral home
Pricing for the same services can vary by thousands of dollars at funeral homes in the same areaHow to save
- Ask funeral homes for a copy of their General Price List (GPL)
- Get detailed quotes from more than one funeral home
- Be specific about the services you want
- Watch out for packages that include items you don’t want or need
Save on services
The number of services you hold and when or where they take place will affect the bottom lineHow to save
- Hold services on the same day
- Have services during business hours
- Hold some or all services at a private home, religious space, or other venue
- Opting for closed casket services can save on embalming and other prep
Supply your own goods
You don’t have to purchase necessary items (like a casket or urn) through the funeral homeHow to save
- Purchase the casket, urn, or other containers outside the funeral home
- Use an “alternative container” instead of a casket for cremation
- Supply your own flowers
- Create your own memorial items or thank-you cards
Find assistance
You may be eligible for financial assistance from the government or other organizationsWhat to do
- Learn about benefits for Veterans - including military funeral honors and memorial items (headstone, flag, etc.)
- Find out if you’re eligible to receive a Veterans burial allowance
- Ask your religious organization if they help with burial costs
- Crowdfund to help with costs
Explore alternative options
Opting to not include formal services or using alternative options can be more economicalHow to save
- Opt for an environmentally-friendly green burial
- Consider anatomical body donation, where the remains are either cremated or buried after the donation process
- Avoid many of the costs of a traditional funeral by choosing direct cremation or immediate burial (with no services)



Choosing a funeral home is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. You can search for providers who specialize in services that are important to you, or click "See more funeral homes" to see all listings in your area.
Already working with a funeral home? Search for your funeral home below, or enter it manually here.



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.





Decide whether you want to have flowers at services. They offer vivid reminders of how many people cared for your loved one—but some people would prefer those resources be put towards something more permanent, such as charitable donations. Your funeral director can help you find a florist and produce printed programs—but remember that you may be able to save money by shopping for those purchases on your own.


Soon you’ll be able to order flowers from the Featherstitch site—we’ll connect you with florists to make it easier to buy flowers to honor your loved one.

Who’s staying where? If many people are coming from out of town to attend the memorial events, it’s useful to keep a list of where everyone is staying, who has rental cars (versus those who will need rides) and the like. A simple list or spreadsheet can work wonders.
Soon you’ll be able to book hotels from the Featherstitch site—we’ll connect you with local hotels to make it easier to book online.

For many people, the myriad memorial arrangements can keep them from realizing the enormity of their loss until after the funeral. When all the events are done and the friends have returned home, take a moment to consider your feelings. Seek out support groups and other kinds of grief counseling.

