• Family and Friends: Inform immediate family and close friends as soon as possible.

• Funeral Home: Contact a funeral home or director. They will guide you through the process and help you make the necessary arrangements.

• See Dandelion’s Funeral Communications for guidance and templates.

• Burial or Cremation: The first decision to make is whether the person will be buried or cremated. If the deceased left any preferences in writing, such as a will or pre-arranged funeral plan, follow them.

• Traditional or Alternative Funeral: Choose whether you want a traditional funeral with religious rites, a more personalized or alternative ceremony, or a simple gathering. You may also consider an eco-friendly or green funeral.

• Research: Look for a funeral home in your area that fits your needs and budget. It's a good idea to ask for recommendations from family, friends, or local clergy.

• Check Services: Funeral homes offer a wide range of services, including embalming, preparation of the body, transportation, and ceremony coordination. Discuss your needs and ask for pricing details.

• Embalming: If you are holding a viewing or wake before the funeral, you may need embalming services to preserve the body.

• Cremation or Burial Preparation: If cremation is chosen, the body will be prepared for cremation. If burial is selected, the body may be dressed and placed in a casket.

• Funeral Home: Many funeral homes offer on-site chapels for services.

• Religious Institutions: Some families prefer to have the service at a church, mosque, temple, or synagogue.

• Other Locations: You can also hold the service at a community center, home, or any meaningful location, depending on the deceased's preferences.

Coordinate with the funeral home and clergy, if applicable, to select a convenient time for the service, keeping in mind the availability of close family and friends.

• Officiant: Choose an officiant (minister, rabbi, priest, celebrant, etc.) to lead the ceremony. The officiant may be someone from the deceased’s religious community or a professional celebrant.

• Readings and Music: Select appropriate readings, music, or hymns. Many families include favorite poems, scripture, or quotes in the ceremony. Choose meaningful songs that reflect the deceased's personality and beliefs.

• Eulogies and Tributes: Decide who will deliver the eulogy or any other tributes. You may invite family members or friends to speak and share memories. See Eulogy Tips and Eulogy Templates.

• Order of Service: Work with the funeral home to prepare a printed program for the service, detailing the order of events, music, and speakers.

• Select floral arrangements and other decor. 

• Funerals can be expensive, so it’s important to create a budget based on what is necessary and what the family can afford. Funeral homes often provide packages that bundle services and help manage costs.

• Be sure to account for additional expenses, such as flowers, transportation, obituary notices, and memorial items.

• See How Much Does a Funeral Cost.

• Burial Plot: If the deceased is being buried, purchase a cemetery plot if not already arranged. If the deceased is being buried, you’ll need to choose a casket. Funeral homes offer a variety of styles, materials (wood, metal), and price points.

• Cremation Options: If cremation is chosen, you can arrange to have the ashes kept in an urn, scattered in a meaningful place, or stored in a columbarium or burial plot. You will also need to select an urn. Urns come in different designs and materials, and some can be kept in a home, placed in a columbarium, or buried.

• Hearse: The funeral home will provide a hearse to transport the body from the funeral home to the service and cemetery.

• Limousine: You may also arrange for transportation for family members attending the service. 

• Other: If you don’t want to hire transportation, gather some friends to act as drivers for the immediate family.

• Prepare Obituary: Write and submit an obituary to local newspapers, online platforms, or other places where the deceased’s life and legacy should be acknowledged.

• See Obituary Tips.

• Reception: After the funeral, many families host a reception where friends and family can gather to share memories and provide support. See Post-Funeral Reception Checklist.

• Grief Support: Bereavement counseling or support groups can help the family cope with the emotional aspects of loss.