Funeral Checklist

1. Consider Your Wishes and Those of Your Loved One

• Take a moment to consider your loved one’s wishes for their farewell, along with any personal beliefs or cultural practices that may be important.
• Decide whether they would have preferred a traditional service, a direct cremation, or another form of remembrance. A direct cremation involves no formal service, allowing family and friends to plan a separate memorial at a time of their choosing.

2. Notify Family and Friends

• Inform close family members and friends of the passing.
• Consider designating someone to help share the news and handle early arrangements.

3. Register the Death

• Arrange to register the death at the Register Office within five working days.
• Bring the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and any necessary identification.
• Request multiple copies of the death certificate, as they’ll be needed for various legal and administrative tasks.

4. Choose a Funeral Director

• Select a funeral director to help organise the funeral or direct cremation.
• Discuss the available options, including service type, transport, and specific details to create a fitting tribute.

5. Decide on the Type of Service

• Choose between burial and cremation based on your loved one’s wishes or your family’s preferences.
• Decide if you want a traditional attended service, a memorial without the presence of the body, or a direct cremation without a service.
• Set the date, time, and location if holding a formal service.

6. Select a Venue

• For traditional services, book a venue such as a church, crematorium, or another preferred location.
• If you wish to hold a memorial gathering following a direct cremation, consider an appropriate place for family and friends to gather in remembrance.

7. Arrange Transport

• Organise transport for your loved one to the funeral location or crematorium.
• Arrange limousines or additional cars if close family members will travel together to the service.

8. Choose a Coffin, Casket, or Urn

• For burials, select a coffin or casket that reflects your loved one’s personality and values.
• For cremations, choose between a simple coffin suitable for cremation or a direct cremation option with minimal formality.
• Decide on an urn or keepsake if you wish to keep the ashes or plan a future memorial.

9. Plan the Order of Service or Memorial

• Outline the structure of the service, including readings, music, eulogies, and any symbolic actions or rituals.
• If opting for a direct cremation, consider planning a separate memorial at a later time to honour your loved one’s memory with family and friends.

10. Prepare Tributes and Memorial Items

• Gather photographs, personal items, or other mementos to display at the service or memorial.
• Consider creating a slideshow, photo board, or memorial booklet to celebrate their life.

11. Organise Floral Arrangements

• Arrange flowers or other decorative elements as a tribute.
• Decide on any specific flowers or colours that may hold meaning for your loved one or family.

12. Write and Publish the Obituary

• Prepare an obituary with details about your loved one’s life, the service (if any), and how to share condolences.
• Publish it in local newspapers, online platforms, or social media if desired.

13. Address Legal and Financial Affairs

• Notify banks, insurance companies, and other institutions of the passing.
• Begin handling the estate or probate process if needed, and consider seeking legal assistance for guidance.

14. Collect the Ashes (for Cremations)

• Arrange to collect the ashes from the crematorium.
• Decide whether to keep them in a chosen location, scatter them in a meaningful place, or organise a private or family memorial ceremony.

15. Plan a Lasting Memorial

• Explore memorial options, such as a headstone, plaque, or a tree planting in their memory.
• If planning a separate gathering or tribute, consider inviting friends and family to share in this personal remembrance.