Funeral planning

Start here

• What to do when someone diesWho to call first, what to find, and what can wait
• What Do I Do Now?Interactive next steps after a death
• How to plan a funeralThe ten key decisions, in order
• Funeral Planning ChecklistBuild a printable checklist for your plans

Choosing a funeral home

Choosing a funeral home is usually the first major decision. You can choose any provider, and under the FTC Funeral Rule you can get prices by phone and an itemized General Price List in person. Comparing the same arrangement at two or three providers often shows large differences.

• Choosing a funeral homeYour rights, comparing prices, and questions to ask a funeral director
• How to compare funeral prices and saveHow to compare itemized prices

Documents you'll need

The funeral director will gather information for the death certificate and permits. It helps to have:

• Full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number
• Parents' names (including mother's maiden name), marital status, spouse's name
• Education, occupation and usual address
• Military discharge papers (often a DD-214) for veterans
• Any preneed contract, cemetery deed, will or written funeral wishes
• Life insurance policy information

Ask for enough certified copies of the death certificate for banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies; ordering more later is possible but slower.

Funeral service planning

The service can be a traditional funeral with the body present, a graveside service, a memorial service after cremation, or a celebration of life. Decide on the officiant, speakers, music, readings, pallbearers, and any religious or cultural customs.

• Memorial Service PlannerBuild an order of service
• Alternatives to a traditional funeralMemorial services, celebrations of life and more
• How to write an obituaryStructure, template and publishing tips
• How to write a eulogyWriting and delivering a eulogy

A typical funeral timeline

Every situation differs, and religious customs or a medical examiner's involvement can change the schedule. A common pattern looks like this:

When	What usually happens
First hours	Death is pronounced; family notified; funeral home chosen and contacted; person transferred to the funeral home when released.
Day 1–3	Arrangement meeting; decisions on burial or cremation, service type and budget; obituary drafted; death certificate information provided.
Day 2–7	Permits obtained; cemetery arrangements made; service details confirmed; notices published; speakers, music and readings chosen.
About 3–14 days	Visitation and funeral or memorial; burial or cremation. (A memorial after cremation may be weeks or months later.)
Weeks to months later	Headstone or marker set; urn placed or ashes scattered; thank-you notes; benefits and estate matters.

Some faiths, including Judaism and Islam, traditionally hold burial very soon after death; funeral homes familiar with those customs can move quickly.

Funeral costs

Costs depend mostly on whether there's a viewing, the casket, burial versus cremation, and cemetery charges. See funeral costs and financial help and try the funeral cost calculator.

Funeral etiquette

For guests, the basics are simple: follow the family's wishes, dress modestly in subdued colors unless asked otherwise, arrive a few minutes early, silence your phone, and keep words of condolence short and sincere ("I'm so sorry. I'll always remember how…"). Sending flowers, a card, a donation or a meal are all appropriate.

• What to wear to a funeral or cremationWhat to wear to a funeral, cremation or celebration of life

Burial, cremation and planning ahead

Sources and references

1. Federal Trade Commission: Shopping for Funeral Services
2. CDC National Center for Health Statistics: Where to Write for Vital Records

Rules, benefit amounts and prices change. Where a source is a government agency, check it directly for current figures. See our sources and fact-checking policy.