Funeral Checklist

Most of us rely on lists for everything from what to pack before a trip to which groceries to buy before preparing a meal. But have you ever considered the importance of preparing a “to do” list for funeral plans? After suffering the loss of a loved one, your grief could leave you feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of arranging burial or cremation as well as s a funeral or memorial service. To help, we have put together a checklist. Fill it out now, before your time of need. This way, once you are faced with the death of someone you love, you will be able to rely on the list you completed while you were at your best.

Checklist for What to Do When a Loved One Dies

• • • • Notify Authorities. If the death occurs outside of a hospital or nursing home, you should call to notify authorities of the death. Authorities will call the coroner. 

     

    • • Notify close relatives and friends. Although the police will notify next-of-kin, other relatives and friends should be alerted.

     

    • • • Call the funeral home. To reach Foothill Funeral & Cremation, call (626) 335-0615.

       

      • Schedule a time to meet with the funeral director to finalize the plans. Foothill Funeral & Cremation Services will work with you according to your personal preferences, whether you prefer to do everything in person, over the phone, via email or even through text messages.

     

    • • Discuss who will be responsible for funeral expenses for billing purposes. Did the deceased name an executor for the estate? If so, he or she could handle this responsibility. But the family could choose to divide the responsibility between family members.

     

    • • If applicable, give the executor a copy of the will. Safety deposit boxes are opened during estate settlement, which is often long after the funeral. In such a case, relevant funeral planning documents would be of no help to the executor.

     

    • • Gather vital statistics for the death certificate: parents’ names (including middle initials), decedent’s social security number and date of birth, their place of work (name and address) and occupation.

     

    • • If applicable, cancel telephone and utilities services, as well as newspaper and magazine deliveries.

     

    • • Find new homes for affected pets.

     

    • • Decide where obituary and memorial information should appear. Contact those outlets.

     

    • • Choose the type of service and final resting place.  

     

    • • Select a casket or cremation-urn.

     

    • • Pick the type of service: religious, military, non-denominational, or fraternal

     

    • • Alert Pallbearers

     

    • • Locate places to order music, flowers, scripture or other readings

     

    • • Figure out whether the deceased wants donations in lieu of flowers. If so, assign a charitable recipient.

     

    • Select speakers and prepare eulogies.
    • Contact your funeral director for additional information.
      

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    Include Foothill on your Funeral Checklist

    At Foothill Funeral & Cremation, we are pleased to answer any questions you may have, without obligation. We are proud to be one of very few funeral homes that are certified by the Green Burial Council. With a beautiful showroom and offices located at 402 West Baseline in Glendora, Foothill Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and the Inland Empire. With years of experience in the mortuary industry, we have worked hard to build a reputation of quality, sincerity and trust. We would be honored to help you at your time of need or in the future. Call today (626) 335-0615 or drop by our showroom.