When a loved one passes away, there’s a lot to process. While handling the impact of the loss, many people are surprised at the number of tasks requiring attention within days of the death. Unfortunately, even those individuals experienced in funeral planning often struggle with the decisions and details requiring attention. 

Funeral planning is more manageable for everyone when broken down into actionable steps. Preplanning allows individuals to express unique preferences, including plans and considerations they’d like respected. After losing my son, planning an unexpected funeral on my own was overwhelming and confusing.

This article will help you eliminate some anxiety that comes with planning a funeral while offering step-by-step instructions on how to plan a funeral for your loved one.

How Long Does it Take to Plan a Funeral?

Planning a funeral doesn’t have a straightforward timeline, as many independent variables can impact the timeline. Generally, a funeral will take between one to four weeks to plan, but this time frame depends on the cause of death.

Cause of Death

The cause of death will significantly impact the organization time of a funeral. Planning final arrangements for an aging individual or someone struggling with a deterioration of health may start earlier than someone dying unexpectedly. Planning aspects may include financial planning or establishing arrangements they’d like after passing.

In the event of a sudden death, time frames can significantly increase. Death certificates are mandatory to release a body for the funeral, which requires a cause of death. A sudden cause of death will likely need a coroner’s investigation, which may take months to process. A coroner can offer paperwork for funeral services but won’t release the body for the service.

How to Plan a Funeral

Planning a funeral isn’t easy, especially when the individual leaves no input or influence on the final arrangements. Couple that decision with grief, and it’s a daunting process. The easiest way to plan a funeral is systematically, navigating through the steps independently.

Contact the Deceased’s Legal Representative

Before planning a funeral, always contact the departed’s legal representative. This individual is often a family attorney or lawyer. This contact will have an Estate Plan, giving insight into the planning process. This document will highlight anyone else involved in the planning process.

Arranging Transportation for the Deceased

You’ll need to choose a funeral home or cremation site to work with if it isn’t outlined in the Estate Plan. Contact the funeral director to arrange transportation of the deceased. Although this is a highly emotional time, funeral directors are skilled professionals. They’ll help you understand the specifics, making it easier to manage.

Follow Any Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans

If you have any pre-arranged funeral plans, it’s crucial to honor and implement those wishes. Typically, these plans will include any specific plans to follow, including the following information:

• Type of service requested, whether burial or cremation

• Preferred grave markers or flower arrangements

•  Service information, including readings, music, or location

• Type of memorial service to hold for the individual

• Viewing or funeral indications, including open or closed casket

These plans can eliminate a lot of decision-making, so pay attention to any details within the estate plan or will. If no funeral plans are specified, you’ll need to determine all final arrangements.

Determine the Type of Funeral and Plan Services

There are many types of services to honor your loved one. Many opt for traditional burials; however, graveside services are standard, too. A few people will prefer cremation or celebration of life.

After looking into all options available, contact the funeral director to proceed with the service. The funeral director will let you know if any additional steps are required, including the obituary or flower vendors.

Confirm Details with the Cemetery

Choosing a final resting place is essential, especially if the deceased didn’t indicate a preferred location. Meet with the head of the cemetery to purchase a plot or vault and determine a burial time. The funeral director can help advise you of this process and decisions to be made at that time.

Additional considerations will include the urn, grave marker, or casket for the burial. You’ll need to purchase any items at the time of cemetery arrangements.

Invite Friends, Family, and Loved Ones

The last step in funeral planning is letting loved ones know the service date, time, and schedule. Contact the local newspaper for publishing information if you’d like to publish an obituary. The Funeral Director may offer coordination of this process, but you will need to write the details independently.

Handle all Financial and Estate Matters

Finalization of the funeral will allow you to move on to financial affairs and proceed with the Estate plan. Always review the Will and Trust with the deceased person’s legal representative. You’ll need to close any accounts, notify creditors and financial institutions, and take control of the finances. The Executor of the Estate will notify any heirs of inheritance and delegate the assets.

Pre-paid Funeral Plans

A pre-paid funeral plan offers a guaranteed plan that specifies specific goods and services for the deceased at a locked-in price. These plans include service details, burial information, and any services. Some services require payment at the time of planning, while others will request the payment at the funeral. Always check with the legal representative to determine any fees or financial obligations at the time of discovery.

Funeral Planning Checklist

To help you navigate the funeral planning process, here’s a step-by-step guide to complete.

• Receive legal pronouncement of death.

• Contact the deceased’s legal representative or Estate lawyer

• Choose a funeral home for services and arrange transportation of the body

• Arrange any embalming or body preparation

• Choose clothing for the deceased to wear, including any jewelry or makeup requests

• Write information for the obituary

• Determine any burial or cremation benefits the deceased has (military benefits, religious groups, or fraternal organizations)

• Choose a disposition (cremation, burial, or interment in a mausoleum)

• Select and purchase an urn or casket

• Choose the grave marker and inscriptions

• Find a location for the interment

• Select a place and type of service

• Order flowers or displays for service

• Choose music and displays for the funeral

• Outline any readings or passages for the funeral

• Purchase memorial cards and print programs for the service

• Coordinate transportation for the casket

• Choose an officiant to lead the service (family member, friend, officiant, priest)

• Determine who will perform the eulogy and ask them for their service

• Find and ask any pallbearers for the service

• Obtain copies of the death certificate

• Secure the burial permit or permit for disposition

• Choose the date and time for the service

• Submit a copy of all obituary details for newspapers and funeral home

• Order any food, beverages, or catering services for the service

Final thoughts

Losing a loved one is never easy. Trying to navigate the overpowering loss and grief is often masked by the funeral planning process. Planning a funeral requires time, energy, and careful consideration, making it daunting for many. Even those with prior experience may struggle to navigate the process, depending on the wants and desires of the deceased.

Companies like Elayne work closely with employers to navigate the legacy planning that eliminates the burden from loved ones and puts individuals in control of their final moments. Contact us today and find out how we can help your employer establish the bereavement benefits that take the burden off your loved ones and keep you in control of your final moments.