Funeral Planning Checklist

A complete funeral planning checklist includes: choosing a funeral home, deciding between burial and cremation, selecting a casket or urn, planning the service (venue, officiant, music, readings), arranging transportation and flowers, printing programs, and organizing a reception. Most families spend $7,000 to $12,000 on a traditional funeral with burial, or $4,000 to $7,000 for cremation with a memorial service, and you have important consumer protections under the FTC Funeral Rule.

If you are reading this, you are likely in the early stages of planning a funeral — possibly for the first time, and almost certainly while grieving. This checklist is designed to be your single reference through the entire process, from the first phone call to the funeral home through the thank-you cards after the service.

You do not need to do everything on this list. Every family, every situation, and every budget is different. Use what applies to you and skip what does not.

These are the decisions that need to happen first. They set the direction for everything that follows.

Choose a Funeral Home

• You are not required to use the first funeral home you contact or the one closest to you
• Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must provide an itemized General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks — in person or over the phone. This is federal law, not a courtesy.
• Call at least two funeral homes and compare pricing. The difference can be thousands of dollars for the same services
• Ask specifically about: their service fee (often called "basic services fee" — typically $2,000 to $3,500), transportation charges, preparation fees, and facility use fees
• If the death occurred away from home, you may need to arrange transportation of the body, which can cost $500 to $3,000+ depending on distance

Burial vs. Cremation

This is often the first major decision. Key factors:

• Burial costs: Casket ($2,000 to $10,000+), cemetery plot ($1,000 to $4,000), grave opening/closing ($1,000 to $2,500), headstone or marker ($1,000 to $3,000). Total for burial alone: $5,000 to $20,000+.
• Cremation costs: Cremation fee ($200 to $800), urn ($50 to $3,000+), and optionally a cremation casket for viewing ($1,000 to $3,000). Total for cremation: $1,000 to $7,000.
• You can do both: Many families choose cremation with a traditional funeral service beforehand (with the body present). Others hold a memorial service after cremation.
• Religious considerations: Some religions have specific requirements about burial vs. cremation. Check with your faith community if this matters.
• Pre-existing plans: Check whether the deceased had pre-paid funeral arrangements, a burial plot, or expressed preferences in a will or other documents.

Notify Key People

• Immediate family and close friends
• The deceased's employer (if applicable)
• Their house of worship or spiritual community
• Any organizations they were closely involved with

With the funeral home selected and the burial/cremation decision made, it is time to plan the service itself.

Choose the Type of Service

• Traditional funeral: A formal service, usually at a funeral home chapel or house of worship, with the body present (open or closed casket). Typically followed by a procession to the cemetery for burial.
• Memorial service: A service without the body present — common after cremation or when the service is held weeks after the death. More flexibility in venue and format.
• Celebration of life: A less formal gathering that focuses on celebrating the person's life rather than mourning their death. Can be held anywhere — a home, a park, a restaurant, a favorite place.
• Graveside service: A brief service held at the cemetery, at the gravesite. Simpler and less expensive than a full funeral.
• Visitation/viewing/wake: A gathering (often the evening before the funeral) where friends and family can view the body and offer condolences. Can be formal or informal.

Select the Venue

• Funeral home chapel (often included in the service fee or $500 to $1,000 additional)
• House of worship (usually free for members, $200 to $1,000 for non-members)
• Cemetery chapel
• Community center, hotel ballroom, or private home (for celebrations of life)
• Outdoor venue (park, beach, garden — check permit requirements)

Arrange an Officiant

• Clergy member from the deceased's house of worship
• A family friend or relative (check your state's requirements for officiating)
• A professional celebrant or funeral officiant ($200 to $500)
• The funeral home can often recommend or provide an officiant

Plan the Program

A typical funeral or memorial service includes:

• Opening words or prayer
• Reading(s) — scripture, poetry, a favorite passage
• Eulogy (one or more — decide who will speak and in what order)
• Music — 2 to 4 songs, live or recorded
• Moment of silence or meditation
• Closing words or prayer
• Recessional

Casket or Urn Selection

Caskets:

• Funeral homes typically display caskets ranging from $2,000 to $10,000+
• FTC Funeral Rule protection: You have the right to purchase a casket from any source — including online retailers like Costco, Walmart, or Amazon — and the funeral home must accept it without a handling fee. Online caskets typically cost $500 to $3,000, often significantly less than funeral home pricing.
• If you only need a casket for the viewing/service (cremation will follow), ask about rental caskets — typically $500 to $1,500

Urns:

• Basic urn: $50 to $200
• Decorative urn: $200 to $1,000
• Custom or specialty urn: $500 to $3,000+
• Biodegradable urn (for scattering or burial): $50 to $300
• You do not need to purchase an urn from the funeral home — the same FTC rule applies

Flowers

• Casket spray: $200 to $500
• Standing arrangements: $100 to $300 each
• Smaller arrangements: $50 to $150 each
• Coordinate with the funeral home about delivery logistics
• Designate someone to transport flowers from the service to the reception or home afterward
• If the family prefers no flowers, include "in lieu of flowers" language in the obituary

Printed Programs

• Order enough for each attendee plus extras (estimate attendance and add 20%)
• Include: name and dates, a photo, the order of service, names of pallbearers and speakers, and any readings or song lyrics
• Funeral homes offer printing services ($100 to $500) or you can print your own using templates available online
• Consider creating a memorial card or bookmark as a keepsake for attendees

Music

• Live musician (soloist, pianist, organist): $150 to $500
• Recorded music is always an option — create a playlist and confirm the venue's sound system
• Choose songs that meant something to the deceased or that capture their spirit
• The funeral home or venue can usually help with audio equipment

Transportation

• Hearse: usually included in funeral home package or $300 to $700
• Limousine for family: $300 to $800
• Many families now use their own vehicles for the procession — this is perfectly acceptable and saves money
• If there will be a procession from the service to the cemetery, ask the funeral home about police escort availability

On the day of the funeral or memorial service, having a clear plan helps everything run smoothly. Assign each task to a specific person.

• Arrive early. Family should arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the service to review arrangements, place personal items, and have a quiet moment before guests arrive.
• Guest book. Set up a guest book or sign-in table at the entrance. Designate someone to greet guests and direct them to sign in. Some families also put out cards where guests can write memories or messages.
• Photo display. Set up photos, a slideshow, or a memory table with meaningful items. Bring an easel, frames, and any personal items the night before if possible.
• Pallbearers. Confirm with all pallbearers the day before. Ensure they know when and where to arrive. Funeral home staff will guide them through the process.
• Speakers. Confirm with everyone who is speaking or reading. Give them an order and approximate time. Have printed copies of readings as backup.
• Someone to manage logistics. Designate one person who is NOT a close family member to handle logistics — coordinating with the funeral home, managing timing, dealing with any issues. This person is invaluable and frees the family to focus on grieving and being present.
• Recording. If you want the service recorded, assign someone or arrange with the venue in advance. Many funeral homes offer this service ($100 to $300). A family friend with a phone on a tripod works too.
• After the service. Have a plan for: who will transport flowers, who will collect the guest book and personal items, and where the family will go next (reception, home, or directly to the cemetery).

Reception

A reception or gathering after the service gives family and friends a chance to connect, share memories, and eat together. Options include:

• Church or community hall: Often available at low or no cost for members. Confirm kitchen access and any restrictions.
• Restaurant: Reserve a private or semi-private room. Many restaurants accommodate funeral receptions and can work with various budgets.
• Family home: The most personal option. Consider asking friends to handle setup and cleanup so the family does not have to.
• Funeral home: Some funeral homes have reception spaces available ($200 to $1,000).
• Catering: Whether at home or at a venue, budget $15 to $40 per person for a catered reception. Alternatively, organize a potluck through the community — many faith groups and friend circles are happy to contribute dishes.

Thank-You Notes

Within two to four weeks after the service, send thank-you notes to:

• Everyone who sent flowers, food, or donations
• The officiant, musicians, and anyone who spoke or read
• Pallbearers
• Anyone who helped with logistics, food, or coordination
• People who traveled a significant distance to attend

Thank-you notes do not need to be long — two or three sentences acknowledging their kindness is enough. Pre-printed cards with a brief personal addition work well. If writing is too much right now, it is perfectly acceptable to send them a few weeks later. No one is keeping score, and everyone understands.

Handling Remaining Items

• Collect certified copies of the death certificate from the funeral home if you have not already
• Obtain the cremation certificate (if applicable)
• Follow up with the cemetery about headstone or marker installation timeline (usually 4 to 12 weeks after burial)
• File insurance claims — many life insurance policies have provisions that help cover funeral costs

The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule is the most important consumer protection you have when planning a funeral. Here is what it guarantees:

• Itemized pricing: Funeral homes must provide a General Price List (GPL) that shows the cost of each individual service and product. They cannot bundle everything into one "package" and refuse to show individual prices.
• No required purchases: You are not required to buy any specific package or combination of services. You can pick and choose exactly what you need.
• Outside caskets accepted: You can purchase a casket from any source (online, from another funeral home, etc.) and the funeral home must accept and use it with no handling fee or penalty.
• No embalming requirement: Embalming is almost never required by law. If the funeral home says it is required, ask them to show you the specific state law. In most cases, embalming is only required if the body will be transported across state lines or if the funeral is delayed beyond a certain number of days.
• Phone quotes: Funeral homes must provide pricing information over the phone to anyone who asks. You do not need to visit in person to comparison shop.

If a funeral home violates these rules, you can file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. You can also contact your state's attorney general or funeral regulatory board.

Knowing these rights does not make you adversarial — it makes you a smart consumer during a vulnerable time. Most funeral homes are honest and compassionate. But the financial stakes are high enough that it is worth knowing what you are entitled to.

Here is a realistic range for each major expense to help you budget:

• Funeral home basic services fee: $2,000 – $3,500
• Body preparation (embalming and dressing): $500 – $1,500
• Casket: $500 – $10,000+ (online options start lower)
• Cemetery plot: $1,000 – $4,000
• Grave opening and closing: $1,000 – $2,500
• Headstone or grave marker: $1,000 – $3,000
• Cremation fee: $200 – $800
• Urn: $50 – $3,000
• Funeral service (venue, staffing): $500 – $1,500
• Hearse: $300 – $700
• Limousine: $300 – $800
• Flowers: $200 – $1,000
• Printed programs: $100 – $500
• Officiant: $0 – $500
• Music: $0 – $500
• Obituary (newspaper): $200 – $1,500
• Reception: $500 – $3,000
• Death certificates (15 copies): $150 – $375

Typical totals:

• Traditional funeral with burial: $7,000 – $15,000
• Cremation with memorial service: $3,000 – $7,000
• Direct cremation (no service): $1,000 – $3,000
• Direct burial (no service): $2,000 – $5,000

These are averages. Your costs will depend on your location, the funeral home you choose, and the options you select. Remember: every line item is negotiable and optional. The FTC Funeral Rule exists to protect your right to choose only what you need.