Where to Begin
Where to Begin
Planning a funeral may feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Our team is here to provide guidance and support while helping you create a meaningful tribute centered on remembrance, healing, and celebrating a life. The information below can help you begin, and you may contact us at any point for assistance.
Immediately Following a Death
When a death takes place in a private residence or another location outside a medical setting, emergency authorities should be contacted first. When the individual was receiving care from a physician, hospice agency, or other medical provider, that organization should also be notified.
When a death occurs in a hospital, nursing facility, or similar setting, the staff will complete the required notifications and contact the funeral home selected by the family when that information has been provided.
The medical professionals involved will assist with the initial documentation and help begin the process of completing the death certificate and other required records.
This can be an especially difficult and confusing time. Our staff is available to explain each step, answer questions, and provide assistance whenever it is needed.
In the Days That Follow
Family members and close friends should be informed of the death. These notifications may be made personally, through phone calls or messages, and later through an obituary or public announcement. A relative or trusted friend may help with this responsibility when it feels too difficult to manage alone.
Any existing prearrangement documents, written instructions, or stated wishes should be located and reviewed. The family will then meet with a funeral director to discuss the services and begin making decisions.
When arrangements were not made in advance, the family may need to consider:
- Whether the deceased will be buried or cremated
- The cemetery, grave, crypt, or mausoleum location for burial
- The selection of a casket or burial container
- The choice of an urn and plans for placement, burial, or scattering after cremation
- Religious, cultural, or spiritual customs to include
- The involvement of a pastor, priest, imam, rabbi, celebrant, or other officiant
- The type of gathering, such as a visitation, funeral ceremony, memorial service, or graveside service
Families are not expected to have every answer at the beginning. The funeral director will review the available options and help organize arrangements that reflect the family’s preferences.
What to Expect When We Meet
During the first meeting, the funeral director will provide the General Price List and review the costs associated with available services, merchandise, and selections.
The conversation will also focus on the life of the person who has died. Families may share stories, personality traits, accomplishments, hobbies, values, relationships, and meaningful traditions. These details help shape a ceremony that feels personal and accurately represents the individual being remembered.
The arrangement process may involve:
- Gathering information for the death certificate
- Completing and submitting required legal documents
- Establishing the dates, times, and locations of services
- Choosing a casket, urn, or related merchandise
- Writing or finalizing the obituary
- Coordinating transportation
- Identifying pallbearers
- Communicating with cemeteries, clergy, and other providers
Documents and Information to Bring
Bringing the following details to the arrangement meeting can help prevent delays:
- Complete legal name
- Residential address
- Social Security number
- Birth date
- Birthplace
- Father’s full name
- Mother’s maiden name
- Educational background
- Occupation or profession
- Military discharge paperwork, including the DD-214 when applicable
- Cemetery or interment information
- Name and contact information for the officiant or clergy member
- Names and relationships of surviving relatives
- Life insurance information when a policy will be assigned toward funeral expenses
A recent photograph should also be provided. Families may bring the clothing, jewelry, glasses, or other personal items they would like used when preparing their loved one for viewing or services.
