Funeral Planning Information
How to Plan a Funeral
These sections guide you through some of the practical and administrative tasks required after a death, then leads you through things you may need to consider when planning a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life.
Our beautiful Inspiration section provide further information, plus lots of ideas and images to help you to make choices.
Key Steps After a Death
When someone dies, there are certain practical steps that need to be taken. Understanding the practical and legal tasks that follow a death can help you feel more in control. Many families find it helpful to have support and guidance from a funeral director during this time.
Some of these key steps are time-sensitive, but many funeral planning decisions can be made over several days. Take the time you need to think things through.
Planning the Funeral Service
Every funeral is unique, reflecting the wishes and beliefs of the person who has died and those closest to them. Initial steps with funeral planning include considering funeral location, type and potential role of a celebrant. You’ll also want to consider funeral options – such as burial or cremation, non-religious or religious.
It’s important to consider things that will make the service meaningful – such as the order of service, music and personal touches. Having an understanding of funeral costs and support available from the outset helps.
Ways to Announce a Death
Letting people know that someone they loved has died is really hard. There are different ways to announce a death – from personal conversations to formal notices, plus we have examples to help you.
Planning a Funeral Reception, Wake or Memorial Service
Gathering after a funeral service, either immediately or at a later date, is a chance for mourners to come together to support each other, share stories and celebrate the life of the person who has died. You might choose to hold a reception or wake following the funeral, or a memorial gathering at a later time.
Creating a Lasting Memorial
A lasting memorial offers a place to remember your loved one in the months and years ahead. Creating a memorial might include a headstone, plaque, memorial bench, or another meaningful tribute. If distance makes visiting difficult, grave tending services can help keep the site cared for.
Legal and Administrative Tasks
There are a number of legal, administrative and practical tasks that need to be undertaken after a death. Dealing with probate and legal requirements is necessary to administer the estate, and settling the affairs and distributing possessions can take several months to complete.
Planning Tools to Help You Gather and Share Information
The whiteballoon Checklists below provide a printable summary of the things you may need to do or think about when someone dies.
Our helpful Planning Tools make keeping track of everything so much easier. Create a personal Ideas Folder in which to save ideas and choices. This can be printed out or shared digitally with those closest to you or your funeral director.
The Budget Planner and Attendees Form make keeping track of costs and numbers attending so much easier.
These are completely free to use. Just Register and Login to securely save information to your account.