Immediate decisions after a death
- Call the funeral home and share where the death occurred.
- Identify the person authorized to make arrangements.
- Follow instructions from the hospital, hospice, medical examiner, or other authority.
- Tell close family and decide who will communicate updates.
- Locate any prearrangement or cemetery records.
People and organizations to contact
- Immediate relatives and close friends
- Clergy, celebrant, or community leaders
- Employer, union, school, or important organizations
- Cemetery or place of worship
- Veterans contacts when military service applies
- Attorney, accountant, insurance professional, or estate representative when appropriate
Documents and information to locate
- Government-issued identification
- Biographical and family information for vital records and obituary preparation
- Military discharge papers such as a DD214, if applicable
- Cemetery deed or interment information
- Preplanning or funding records
- Clothing and personal items selected for the service
The funeral director will explain what is actually required. Keep original sensitive records secure.
Service and ceremony decisions
- Burial or cremation
- Visitation or viewing preferences
- Funeral, memorial, graveside, or private gathering
- Location, date, and participants
- Religious or cultural traditions
- Music, readings, eulogies, photographs, flowers, and printed materials
- Webcasting or remote attendance
Obituary information
Gather the preferred name, age, place of residence, meaningful life details, close survivors and those who died earlier, service information, and any selected memorial donation. Confirm spelling and family approvals before publication.
Merchandise considerations
Depending on the arrangements, discuss casket or ceremonial container, outer burial container if required, urn, cremation jewelry, printed materials, and other memorial items. Ask which specifications, prices, delivery times, personalization options, and cemetery requirements are verified.
Questions to ask the funeral director
- What needs to happen next?
- Which decisions are time-sensitive?
- What does each service option include?
- Which third-party charges may apply?
- What information or authorizations are still needed?
- How will updates and approvals be communicated?
- Where can we see the current General Price List?
Related pages
Options and considerations
Understanding Funeral Planning Guide
Frequently asked questions
Questions about funeral planning guide
Is there a downloadable Blair planning guide?
No client-approved planning PDF was supplied. This web guide is complete and accessible, but it is not presented as an official downloadable document.
What if I do not know an answer?
Write down the question and continue. The funeral director will help identify what is required and which details can be decided later.
Should I bring financial account information?
Do not submit or carry unnecessary account credentials. Ask the funeral home which specific documents are needed for the arrangement discussion.
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Call for immediate assistance, ask a funeral director a question, or begin a thoughtful preplanning conversation.