End-of-Life Planning FAQ
Direct answers to the questions families ask most — about death doulas, funeral costs, cremation, what happens after someone dies, and how Renidy helps.
Death Doulas
What is a death doula?
A death doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides holistic support to dying people and their families — emotionally, logistically, and spiritually. They help families understand what to expect, navigate decisions, coordinate care, and process grief. Death doulas are not medical providers. They complement hospice and palliative care teams.
What does a death doula do?
A death doula helps families in several ways: creating a meaningful end-of-life experience for the dying person, providing emotional support to family members, explaining the dying process, assisting with legacy work (letters, recordings, memory projects), coordinating with medical teams, helping plan after-death arrangements, and supporting families in the immediate aftermath. Every doula's scope varies based on their training and specialty.
How much does a death doula cost?
Death doula services typically cost $75–$250 per hour, or $500–$3,000+ for full packages depending on scope and geography. Some doulas offer sliding scale fees or work with hospice organizations. On Renidy, you can book a free 30-minute intro call before committing to any package.
Is a death doula the same as a hospice nurse?
No. A hospice nurse is a licensed medical professional providing clinical care. A death doula is non-medical — they provide emotional, practical, and logistical support. The two roles complement each other and often work together. Hospice covers the medical; a death doula covers everything else.
Do I need a death doula if I already have hospice?
Hospice provides medical care, medications, and some emotional support — but it does not cover the full scope of what families need. A death doula fills the gaps: helping families process grief in real time, handling the 175+ non-medical tasks after a death, guiding legacy work, and offering around-the-clock presence that hospice teams cannot always provide.
How do I find a certified death doula near me?
You can find certified death doulas through Renidy's directory, INELDA (International End-of-Life Doula Association), NEDA (National End-of-Life Doula Alliance), and the International Doula Life Movement (IDLM). On Renidy, you can browse doula profiles, read bios, and book a free intro call directly.
What to Do When Someone Dies
What do I do in the first 72 hours after someone dies?
In the first 72 hours: (1) Contact a licensed funeral home or cremation provider to legally take custody of the body. (2) Notify immediate family. (3) If death occurred at home, call 911 or hospice to have a physician certify the death. (4) Secure the home and valuables. (5) Begin locating important documents (will, insurance policies, Social Security card). (6) Do not feel pressured to make major decisions immediately — most things can wait 48–72 hours.
What are the 175 tasks families face after a death?
The '175 tasks' refers to the documented list of administrative, logistical, legal, and emotional tasks most families must handle after a loved one dies. Examples include: filing for death certificates, notifying Social Security, closing bank accounts, canceling subscriptions, transferring property titles, notifying employers, handling debt, writing an obituary, planning a memorial, coordinating vendors, and grief support. Renidy's planning system is built around this reality — so families don't have to figure it out alone.
Who do I call when someone dies at home?
If the person was in hospice, call the hospice nurse first — they will contact the physician and guide next steps. If no hospice is involved, call 911. If the death was expected and a physician has seen the patient recently, the physician can certify the death without police involvement in most states. After the death is certified, contact a funeral home or cremation provider to legally take custody of the body.
How many death certificates do I need?
Order 8–12 certified copies. You will need them for: life insurance claims (each policy requires one), bank and investment accounts, property transfers, vehicle title changes, Social Security notification, pension and retirement accounts, and the IRS. It is much easier to order extra copies upfront than to request more later. Certified copies cost $15–$25 each from your state's vital records office.
Funeral Planning & Costs
How much does a funeral cost?
A traditional funeral in the United States costs $7,000–$12,000 on average. Direct cremation (the most affordable option) costs $700–$2,500. Costs vary significantly by state, city, and provider. Texas funerals typically range from $6,000–$10,000. Use Renidy's free cost calculator to get a realistic estimate for your area.
What is the cheapest way to have a funeral?
Direct cremation is the most affordable option, typically $700–$2,500. This includes transportation, basic services, cremation, and return of ashes in a simple container. You can hold a memorial service separately — at home, a park, a place of worship, or anywhere meaningful — without additional funeral home cost.
What is direct cremation?
Direct cremation is cremation without embalming, viewing, visitation, or funeral service beforehand. The body is transported directly from the place of death to the crematorium. Ashes are returned to the family, typically within 1–2 weeks. It is the simplest and most affordable disposition option available.
What is the difference between burial and cremation?
Burial places the body (usually in a casket) in a cemetery plot. Cremation uses high heat to reduce the body to ashes. Burial typically costs more ($9,000–$15,000 with plot and opening/closing fees). Cremation is typically $700–$4,000 and offers more flexibility for memorialization. Religious, cultural, and personal values are often the deciding factor.
Do I need a funeral director?
In most U.S. states, you are not legally required to use a funeral director — some states allow families to handle all arrangements themselves. However, funeral directors manage complex paperwork (death certificates, permits, government filings), transportation, and coordination. For most families, especially during grief, the professional support is valuable. Renidy can help you compare funeral homes and understand exactly what you're paying for.
What is a General Price List (GPL)?
The General Price List is an itemized price list that all funeral homes in the United States are legally required to provide under the FTC Funeral Rule. It lists the cost of every service and product separately. Funeral homes must give you a GPL if you ask in person. Always request a GPL before signing any contracts. Renidy teaches families how to read and compare GPLs.
Are there financial assistance programs for funerals?
Yes. Options include: county indigent burial programs (free or low-cost for qualifying families), Veterans Affairs burial benefits for veterans and some dependents, Social Security lump-sum death benefit ($255), state victim assistance programs, charitable organizations (Children's Burial Assistance, etc.), and some life insurance policies with accelerated death benefits. Ask Renidy's concierge team to help identify programs you qualify for.
Can I plan a funeral in advance?
Yes — and it is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your family. Pre-planning allows you to document your wishes, compare providers without time pressure, potentially lock in current prices (through prepaid contracts), and spare your family from making difficult decisions while grieving. Renidy's free planning tools let you start documenting preferences today.
About Renidy
What is Renidy?
Renidy is an AI-powered end-of-life planning platform that helps families navigate death with clarity and support. We connect families with certified death doulas, provide transparent funeral cost information and provider directories, offer AI-guided planning tools, and provide concierge support for complex arrangements. Founded in 2024 after witnessing a family navigate 175 tasks alone following a loved one's unexpected death.
Is Renidy a funeral home?
No. Renidy is a planning platform and marketplace, not a funeral home. We do not provide funeral or cremation services directly. We connect families with licensed providers, help them understand costs, and guide them through decisions. Think of us as a trusted advisor and coordinator — not a vendor.
How much does Renidy cost?
Renidy's core planning tools — checklist, cost calculator, provider directory, and AI planner — are free. Booking a certified death doula through Renidy uses the doula's own pricing. Concierge planning support and premium platform features have paid tiers. We built Renidy so that the first moment of crisis — when families need help most — is never behind a paywall.
How does Renidy match families with death doulas?
Families answer a few questions about their situation, location, timeline, and what kind of support they're looking for. Renidy's AI surfaces matched doulas from our vetted network. Families can view profiles, read bios, and book a free 30-minute intro call. If the fit isn't right, we match them with another doula. There's no pressure and no commitment until the family is ready.
Is my information private on Renidy?
Yes. Renidy uses end-to-end encryption for sensitive planning documents and medical information. We do not sell personal data. Your planning information is only shared with the specific doulas or providers you choose to work with. See our privacy policy at renidy.com/privacy for full details.
Legal & Documentation
Who has the legal right to make funeral decisions?
Priority typically follows this order: (1) person named in an advance directive or pre-planned funeral contract, (2) surviving spouse or domestic partner, (3) adult children (majority rules if disagreement), (4) parents, (5) adult siblings, (6) other next of kin. State laws vary. Texas follows this hierarchy under the Texas Health & Safety Code. Disputes can delay arrangements and may require legal intervention.
What is an advance directive and do I need one?
An advance directive is a legal document stating your healthcare wishes if you become unable to speak for yourself. It typically includes a living will (what treatments you want or don't want) and a healthcare proxy/power of attorney (who makes decisions for you). Every adult should have one. Without it, medical providers must follow default legal protocols, which may not reflect your wishes.
How do I get a death certificate?
Funeral directors typically file the death certificate with the state vital records office as part of their services. Families can then order certified copies online, by mail, or in person from the state vital records office. In Texas, death certificates are filed with the Texas Department of State Health Services. Standard processing takes 1–2 weeks; expedited service (additional fee) takes 3–5 days.
Still have questions?
Book a free 30-minute call with a certified death doula. No commitment. Just clarity.