How to Plan a Funeral Step by Step

Choosing a casket is just one step in the funeral planning process.

More than two million funerals are planned each year by people in the United States alone. Death is a depressing but inevitable event, and it is tradition to remember the deceased through a burial or memorial service. Planning is an important part of the process to deal with both the emotional side of the death as well as the financial aspects -- the average funeral cost $6,560, as of 2009, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

Instructions

1. Read through the deceased's will and determine whether any specific requests were made regarding his after-death arrangements. If not, gather the closest family of the deceased to discuss the details of the type of service, memorial and/or burial the individual would have wanted.

2. Meet with the person responsible for handling and preparing the body for cremation or burial. Arrange the details of the work to be done and set up the contracts for payment. Choose a coffin or urn for the remains.

3. Inform the deceased's friends and family of the memorial service. It's usually best to reach people by phone due to time constraints and the ability to answer questions mourners might have.

4. Design a flier or booklet celebrating the deceased's life. Include his date of birth, date of death, full name, a photo (if possible), order of events for the service and any hymns or special messages that might be included in the service. Order flowers or other decor if desired.

5. Speak with a pastor, preacher or other qualified person about conducting the service. Write a eulogy commemorating the deceased.

References

• Funeral Consumers Alliance; Four-Step Funeral Planning: Where to Start When You Don't Know How to Start; November 2007
• MSN Money: Plan a Funeral for $800 or Less
• National Funeral Directors Association: 2009 Funeral Costs