Funeral Planning Checklist

Funeral Planning Checklist

Remember, it is not a requirement of the law to use a licensed Funeral Director and Funeral Home. Many states allow what is called "caring for your own dead." This means that when a loved one passes, as next of kin, you are entitled to handle all aspects of the funeral. You can process the Death Certificate with the help of the doctor, hospital, coroner or Board of Health. The Burial Permit can be processed by filing and paying a fee at the Board of Health. You are not required to have the body embalmed, but the burial should take place quickly.

You can purchase the casket directly, dress and place your loved one into the casket and even transport the body to the church or burial site. If you choose to have a private cemetery, you may even arrange to have the grave opened and closed by anyone of your choosing. Many of the laws in most states are not designed to increase burial costs, they were enacted to ensure that health guidelines are followed. It is the Funeral Home and Cemetery regulations that increases burial costs. Many services and products they provide can result in as much as a 95% profit for them.1 Many businesses are more than ready to handle these services for you and allow you to think you are unable to do it yourself. But, should you use the services of a funeral provider, use the funeral planning checklist below to help you review the actual costs being charged. And once you've made your choices and arranged the ceremony, the next step is to arrange the financing.

Funeral Planning Checklist: Points to Remember

• If at all possible, shop around to compare prices from at least two funeral homes. Remember, you can supply your own casket or urn.
• Request the funeral service price list. The law requires that you be provided with written price lists for products and services being offered for the service.
• Resist any pressure to buy goods and services you don't really need.
• Try to avoid emotional overspending. It is not really necessary to have the fanciest casket or the most elaborate and expensive funeral to properly honor a loved one.
• Understand your rights. The Laws regarding funerals and burials vary from state to state and you should be aware of what goods or services the law requires you to purchase and which are optional.
• Apply the same smart shopping techniques you use for other major purchases. Be aware that you can also cut some funeral expenses by limiting the viewing to one day or one hour before the funeral, and by dressing the deceased in their favorite outfit instead of purchasing costly burial clothing.
• Consider preplanning you or someone else's funeral arrangements. Preplanning allows you to do burial comparison shopping, as well as lock in the rates of funeral costs. It also creates an opportunity for you to have family discussions about your wishes, which will lift most of the burden from family members.

Funeral Planning Checklist: Prices to Check

(Make copies of this page for each funeral home you visit to compare the costs)

Note: If, at any time during the funeral preparation process, you feel you need additional assistance,  there are several business, professional and consumer groups available to you.Review some of the larger groups and organizations here.  Should any problems arise during the funeral preparation process, remember that there are federal, state and local agencies ready to help you resolve such matters.