Funeral Planning Guide: Step-by-Step From Death to Memorial

The short answer: Planning a funeral involves dozens of decisions in a short window of time, often while grief-stricken and overwhelmed. This step-by-step guide walks through everything from the first call after death through the memorial service — so you know what to expect.

Immediately After Death

When a death occurs, the first hours involve several essential steps:

1. If expected death at home on hospice: Call the hospice nurse. Do not call 911 unless the nurse directs you to. The nurse will come and pronounce death.
2. If unexpected death at home: Call 911. Emergency responders will confirm death and involve the medical examiner if needed.
3. If death in a hospital or facility: Staff will handle pronouncement and notify the appropriate parties.
4. Contact a funeral home: The funeral home will arrange transportation of the body. You do not need to decide all arrangements immediately — but you need to choose a funeral home.

Within the First 24-48 Hours

Obtain certified copies of the death certificate (you'll need 10-15 for financial and legal purposes). Notify immediate family and close friends. Contact an employer if the deceased was working. If the death occurred away from home, contact a local funeral home and coordinate transport.

Key Funeral Decisions

Disposition: Burial or cremation (or alternative like aquamation or green burial)?

Service type: Traditional funeral, memorial service, graveside service, celebration of life, or no service?

Timing: When will the service be held, and where?

Obituary: Draft and submit to local newspaper(s) and online platforms.

Casket or urn: You have the right to purchase elsewhere and have the funeral home use your purchased casket or urn.

The Memorial Service

Plan the service elements: who will speak, what music will be played, whether there will be open or closed casket viewing, what photos and memories to display. Death doulas and funeral celebrants can help plan meaningful, personalized services.

After the Service

In the weeks following, address legal and financial matters: notifying Social Security, banks, pension systems, and insurance companies; closing accounts; working with an estate attorney if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do immediately after someone dies at home?

If on hospice: call the hospice nurse first, not 911. The nurse will pronounce death and guide next steps. If unexpected: call 911. Then contact a funeral home to arrange transport of the body.

How many death certificates do I need?

Plan to obtain 10-15 certified copies of the death certificate. You'll need them for banks, insurance companies, pension systems, property transfers, and other financial and legal purposes.

Do I have to buy a casket from the funeral home?

No — the FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to accept caskets purchased elsewhere without charging a fee. You can purchase a casket online (Costco, Amazon, and specialty retailers) and deliver it to the funeral home.

How do I write an obituary?

Include the person's full name, age, date and place of death, cause (optional), surviving family members, key life accomplishments and interests, and service details. Most funeral homes offer obituary writing assistance.

Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate death doulas and AI-powered funeral planning tools. Try our free AI funeral planner or find a death doula near you.