Funeral planning checklist
A simple checklist can make a hard time feel a little more manageable.
This free, printable checklist is meant to help you keep track of funeral or cremation decisions, papers, and next steps. It can be used when someone has died, or as a planning-ahead tool for yourself or a loved one.
You do not need to decide everything at once. The checklist helps you move one step at a time, write down choices, and notice what still needs attention. Stillpoint is a free matching service, not a funeral home or cremation provider. We offer general educational information and can help connect families with licensed providers near them.
In plain language
This checklist helps you remember what to do for a funeral or cremation. You can print it, write notes on it, and share it with family. Bring it when you talk with a funeral home or cremation provider.
What this checklist helps with
When someone dies, there are many decisions to make in a short time. Even simple choices can feel heavy. A written checklist can help reduce confusion and help family members stay on the same page.
This checklist is designed to help you organize the practical parts of planning, including:
- the person's full name, dates, and basic information
- who will make decisions and who should be contacted
- whether burial, cremation, or another type of service is wanted
- whether there are military, religious, or cultural wishes to honor
- what documents, permits, or certificates may be needed
- service details such as location, date, music, speakers, and obituary notes
- budget notes, itemized prices, and questions for providers
It can also help when there are several family members involved. One person can fill it out, or different people can take different sections. Writing things down often prevents missed details and repeated phone calls later.
- The PDF is free and printable.
- You can use it for at-need arrangements or planning ahead.
- It is a guide, not a legal form or contract.
How to use it
Start with what you already know. If some answers are not clear yet, leave blanks and come back later. You do not need to finish the whole checklist in one sitting.
A simple way to use it is:
1. Print the checklist, or keep it open on your phone or computer.
2. Fill in the first page with the person's basic information and the main family contact.
3. Mark any known wishes, such as burial, cremation, service type, clergy, music, or veteran status.
4. Make a short list of immediate tasks, such as notifying close family or locating important papers.
5. Use the questions section when speaking with funeral homes or cremation providers.
6. Write down names, prices, and what each provider includes.
If you are meeting with a funeral home, bring the checklist with you. It can help you ask clear questions and compare options. Families have important rights under the FTC Funeral Rule. You can ask for an itemized General Price List from any funeral home, buy only the goods and services you want, use a casket or urn bought elsewhere, and decline embalming where it is not legally required. Embalming is rarely required by law. You can read more at funeral rule rights.
If you are planning ahead, the checklist can be a starting point for conversation. It helps loved ones understand your preferences without guessing later.
- Keep a pen with the printed copy.
- Circle urgent items and leave the rest for later.
- If English is not your first language, ask someone you trust to review it with you.
What to write down as you go
The most helpful checklists do more than list tasks. They also capture choices, questions, and costs in one place.
As you work through the pages, try to note:
- the name and phone number of each provider you speak with
- whether the provider is licensed in your state
- the type of service discussed, such as direct cremation, burial, or a memorial gathering
- what is included in the price and what costs extra
- whether transportation, permits, death certificates, or obituary help are included
- any deadlines, appointments, or family decisions still pending
Be careful with prices. Any numbers you hear online or by phone are only typical ranges, not quotes. Ask each provider to confirm prices in writing and provide their GPL. That makes it easier to compare one provider with another fairly.
If the checklist includes a section for personal wishes, that can be especially valuable. A few notes about music, readings, photos, military honors, clothing, flowers, donations, or a simple gathering can guide the family gently. Small details often matter.
If finances are part of the planning, make notes about whether any prepaid funeral plan, trust, or insurance policy exists. Pre-need funeral contracts and final-expense insurance are different products. Ask how funds are protected, what is guaranteed, and what happens if plans change. Insurance questions should be handled by a licensed agent. Stillpoint does not sell funeral plans or insurance.
- Use one page for notes from each provider.
- Write down who agreed to do each task.
- Keep copies of price lists and receipts with the checklist.
What to do with the finished checklist
Once you have filled out most of the checklist, keep it somewhere easy to reach. Share it with the person helping make arrangements, and bring it to any meetings or calls.
Your completed checklist can help you:
- choose the type of arrangements that fit the person's wishes and your budget
- compare licensed providers more calmly
- avoid paying for items you do not want
- keep family members informed about what has been decided
- track documents, appointments, and follow-up tasks
If someone has died and you need help now, your next step may be to speak with a provider about at-need arrangements. If you are still deciding between options, it may help to review cremation or other service choices before making calls.
Remember that the checklist is there to support you, not pressure you. It is normal if some sections stay blank until later. A clear, partial checklist is still useful.
- Store the printed copy with important papers.
- Take a photo of completed pages in case the paper copy is misplaced.
- Update it if family decisions change.
Get matched if you want help comparing providers
If you would like support finding local options, Stillpoint can help. We are a free matching service that helps families understand their choices and get connected with licensed funeral homes and cremation providers nearby. We do not arrange funerals, perform cremations, sell merchandise, or sell insurance.
You can use your completed checklist when you request a match. It helps you explain what matters most, such as budget, timing, service type, language needs, veteran honors, or a preference for simple arrangements.
A match is only a starting point. You should still ask each provider for its GPL, confirm prices in writing, and verify the provider's state license. You can learn more about the process at how it works or request help at get matched.
Some families want only information. Others want names of providers to contact. Either is fine. The goal is to help you move forward with a little more clarity and less guesswork.
- Matching is free to families.
- You are always free to compare more than one provider.
- You decide which goods and services to accept.
Always use a licensed funeral home or cremation provider, and confirm every price in writing before you agree.