Funeral Planning Checklist (Advance + After a Death)
A compassionate, practical funeral planning checklist — record advance wishes (burial/cremation, service, key documents and contacts) and a step-by-step list of what to do in the first hours, days, and weeks after a death.
Live preview
FUNERAL PLANNING CHECKLIST Plan for: Sample Person This has two parts: ADVANCE WISHES (to record now) and AFTER A DEATH (steps for the family). It is a personal organizer, not a legal document. ========================= PART 1: ADVANCE WISHES ========================= DISPOSITION PREFERENCE Cremation SERVICE WISHES Simple celebration of life at the community hall, not a formal religious service. Favorite music, photos, and an open mic for stories. In lieu of flowers, donations to the local food bank. KEY PEOPLE TO NOTIFY - Next of kin: Sample Relative — (555) 010-1212 - Clergy / celebrant: Rev. Sample — (555) 010-3434 - Attorney / executor: Sample Executor — (555) 010-5656 KEY DOCUMENTS ARE KEPT Fireproof box in the home office: will, insurance policies, account list, this plan. PREPAID / PREFERRED PROVIDER No prepaid plan. Preferred: Sample Funeral Home, (555) 010-7878. ADDITIONAL WISHES - Bury / scatter at the lakehouse if possible - Obituary should mention volunteer work - Passwords are in the password manager (executor has access) ======================= PART 2: AFTER A DEATH ======================= FIRST HOURS [ ] Get a legal pronouncement of death (hospice/hospital does this; if at home, call the doctor or 911/authorities) [ ] Notify close family and a few key people (see list above) [ ] Arrange care for dependents and pets [ ] Contact the funeral home / provider to transport and begin arrangements [ ] Locate this plan and any prepaid funeral or burial documents FIRST FEW DAYS [ ] Decide burial/cremation and the service per the wishes above [ ] Order multiple certified copies of the death certificate (you will need many) [ ] Plan the service; choose readings, music, speakers, pallbearers [ ] Write and submit the obituary; share service details [ ] Notify employer, clergy, and close friends [ ] Arrange food, lodging, and help for out-of-town family FIRST FEW WEEKS [ ] Notify Social Security / government benefits and any pensions [ ] Contact life insurance companies to start claims [ ] Notify banks, and the executor begins the estate / probate process [ ] Notify credit bureaus to help prevent identity theft [ ] Cancel or transfer accounts, subscriptions, and memberships [ ] Send thank-you notes to those who helped or sent condolences (Personal organizer only -- not legal, financial, or medical advice.)
About this template
Few things are harder than handling a death while grieving, and a plan made in advance — or a clear checklist in the moment — removes a great deal of confusion and second-guessing. This checklist has two halves. The first, **advance wishes**, is a gift to your family: writing down whether you prefer **burial or cremation**, what kind of **service** (if any) you want, **where your key documents are**, who to **notify**, and whether you have a **prepaid or preferred provider** spares loved ones from guessing at the worst possible time, and from disagreements about "what they would have wanted." Keep it with your will and important papers, and tell the person who would handle things where to find it. The second half is a **practical, time-ordered guide for after a death**, because the tasks come in waves. In the **first hours**, the priorities are getting a **legal pronouncement of death** (hospice or hospital staff handle this; if a death happens at home unexpectedly, you may need to call the doctor or authorities), notifying close family, arranging care for any dependents or pets, and contacting the funeral home to transport the person and begin arrangements. Over the **first few days**, you confirm disposition and the service, write the obituary, and — a step people are caught off guard by — **order multiple certified copies of the death certificate**, since banks, insurers, and agencies each want their own. Over the **first few weeks** come the administrative tasks: notifying **Social Security and pensions**, filing **life-insurance** claims, beginning the **estate/probate** process, notifying **credit bureaus** to guard against identity theft, and closing or transferring accounts. A few gentle reminders: **accept help** (assign tasks to willing friends and family rather than carrying it alone), keep a folder or notebook of who you have contacted and what remains, and do not rush irreversible decisions. This is an organizer, not legal, financial, or medical advice; rules and the exact death-certificate and benefit processes vary by state and provider, so confirm specifics locally and lean on the funeral director and, where needed, an attorney.
When to use it
- Recording your own funeral and end-of-life wishes in advance.
- Helping a family handle the practical tasks after a death.
- Organizing contacts, documents, and provider information in one place.
- A step-by-step guide for the first hours, days, and weeks.
What to include
- Disposition preference (burial/cremation) and service wishes.
- Key people to notify and where important documents are kept.
- Any prepaid plan or preferred provider.
- First-hours, first-days, and first-weeks task lists.
- Reminders: certified death certificates, benefits, insurance, probate.
Frequently asked
Related templates
More tools you might like
Hand-picked tools that pair well with this one — same audience, same intent.
A planning worksheet to organize your end-of-life and medical wishes — healthcare agent, life-support and treatment preferences, comfort care, organ donation, and personal values — before completing a legally valid advance directive with the right forms for your state.
A planning worksheet to organize your wishes before making a will — executor, guardians for minor children, beneficiaries and specific gifts, the residuary estate, an asset inventory, and personal instructions — to bring to an attorney or a valid state form.
A planning worksheet to organize a power of attorney before you see an attorney or complete a state form — who your agent is, the type of POA, which powers to grant, when it takes effect, durability, and limits.
Worksheet for an executor / personal representative to inventory estate assets (real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, personal property) and debts, with an automatic total estate value.
A countdown birthday party planning checklist — from 3-4 weeks out through the day of — covering guest list, venue, food and cake, decorations, activities, party favors, and day-of tasks, plus your own custom to-dos.
A vacation checklist covering everything before and during a trip — booking & planning, packing, home prep before you leave, and an on-trip daily reminders list.
A 72-hour family emergency kit checklist — water and food, tools and supplies, first aid and medications, important documents, comfort/personal items, and kids/pet needs — with household size and refresh reminders.
Generate a printable room-by-room walkthrough / inspection checklist PDF — for buyers, tenants, or property managers.