Simplified Funeral Planning Checklist

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

1. Get a legal pronouncement of death
   1. If the death occurred in the hospital or hospice: a doctor or nurse will take care of this for you
   2. If the death occurred outside a medical facility:
      1. Call your loved one's doctor or 911 and the medical professionals will handle the rest.
      2. A coroner, physician, or clinician will file the required paperwork to legally pronounce your loved one as dead
2. Find a mortuary, funeral home, or cremation provider here‍‍
3. Request the pick up of your loved one's body

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1. If your loved one shared a home with someone who survived them, feel free to skip this and handle their belongings a bit later down the line.
2. If they lived alone, you'll want to make sure their home(s) and vehicle(s) are locked.

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In this section, we guide you with empathy and care through the process of gathering essential paperwork.

During this emotional time, securing important documents such as the death certificate, will, and any insurance policies can feel overwhelming.

We’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you have everything needed for legal and financial matters. Whether it’s requesting required forms or locating personal records, this section provides gentle guidance to help you navigate these tasks with ease and compassion.

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1. Determine how many birth certificates you need by answering the 10 questions on the quiz at the top of this page

2. Fill out the required information here so that we can file a death certificate for you

3. Submit the information so that Farewell can get death certificates for you as quickly as possible

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

In this section, we offer heartfelt guidance on honoring your loved one’s memory in a way that reflects their unique life and legacy.

This includes planning meaningful ceremonies and considering lasting tributes.

We understand that this is a deeply personal and emotional journey, and our goal is to support you in creating a fitting tribute that brings comfort and celebrates the special moments and qualities of the person you've lost.

Whether you choose a traditional service or something more unique, we’re here to help you make these decisions with compassion and care.

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Storytelling is a core part of how we connect as humans, and every person has a story to tell. When enduring the grief of loss, seeing memories shared by others helps us feel the warmth and support of community and continue feeling our person’s impact. Online memorials allow for friends and family, near and far, to share memories and photos that last long after the funeral is done.

Online memorials are also the perfect way to request support after someone passes. Below, we'll show you exactly how to do that

1. Submit your loved one's details here
2. Provide obituary & photos
3. Share online page with family and friends

1. [If they haven't done so already pick a funeral home using farewell]
2. Meet with funeral director to finalize important details like
   1. Service date & time
   2. Choose floral arrangements here
   3. Choose casket or urn here
   4. Select photos for service
   5. Select friends or family member to deliver eulogies
   6. Choose and contact service officiant
   7. Choose pallbearers
   8. Create programs
3. From there, you should inform your family and friends regarding service information. To get as much financial support as possible, make sure to use the online obituary you made before to share service details.
4. Hold service

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Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

In this section, we provide compassionate assistance for handling your loved one's financial and digital accounts. This process can feel daunting, but we're here to help you navigate each step, from notifying banks and credit card companies to closing social media profiles and subscription services.

Our aim is to make this task as straightforward as possible, allowing you to focus on remembering your loved one rather than administrative details.

By providing clear instructions and support, we help you ensure that these matters are settled with respect and care, honoring the life of the person you've lost.

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

intro paragraph

1. Start this process by reaching out to the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
2. Tell them to list all accounts as "Closed. Account Holder is Deceased." This will help protect against identity theft.
3. Request a credit report from the agencies; this is the easiest way to find out exactly what debts are still owed. The following are the most common types of debt reports that you may receive:
   1. Mortgage info
   2. Home loan
   3. Car loan
   4. Student loan
   5. Credit card bills
   6. Medical bills
   7. Personal loans
   8. Judgments
   9. Possession
   10. Keep in mind that your loved one may have had other outstanding debts that are not listed on their Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax such as a personal loan for a business, rent, or school. Someone may also owe them money as a result of personal loans, judgments, or loaned possessions; so you'll want to make sure to take some time to list these debts as well.
4. Contact all creditors that the deceased person(s) did business with and request that they mark their files accordingly.
5. Be sure to forward a copy of the death certificate, once you receive it.
6. Check with the Social Security Administration to ensure that they have updated their files and notified the credit reporting companies.Forward a copy of the death certificate to all three credit reporting companies.
7. Mail your information to:

TransUnionLLC

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19022

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Experian

P.O. Box 2002

Allen, TX 75013

888-397-3742

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Equifax

P.O. Box 740260

Atlanta, GA 30374

800-685-1111

After freezing or canceling all credit card accounts, you'll want to go through and settle all credit cards debts & mortgages

Note: the estate will pay off these bills, not you personally--if the deceased didn't leave enough money to cover credit card bills, you won't be on the hook for paying them.

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

In the "Executing the Will" section, we provide compassionate guidance on fulfilling your loved one's final wishes. As an executor, you play a crucial role in distributing assets and ensuring the will is carried out according to their intentions.

We understand that this responsibility can be both emotionally and legally complex. This section offers clear instructions and support, covering everything from probate processes to communicating with beneficiaries.

Our goal is to help you navigate these steps with care and confidence, honoring your loved one’s legacy while providing peace of mind for you and your family.

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Probate is a legal process that is usually required when someone dies. Someone's estate (all of their assets) are passed on to their beneficiaries. Probate is the court-supervised way that happens. The time it takes will vary based on the state you live in and the kind of will or trust someone leaves.

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

Dealing with death is not easy, but it can be made much easier with the support of others.

1. If your loved one had a will, notify the executor of the will -- they need to be involved with planning the final arrangements
2. Think of your closest family or friends members (typically 3-4 people)
3. If your loved one had any dependents or pets: think about which trusted friend or family member can temporarily take care of them while you figure out a long term solution

Keep in mind: while close family and friends should be informed individually in person or on the phone, a mass email or social media post to your loved one’s wider circle is OK. We'll walk you through how to do that in a later step

One of the many challenging things about a loss is adjusting to life without the person you're grieving. As an exercise, think about the role that person played in your day-to-day. Did they tend to mow the lawn? Pay the bills? Cook dinner? Make a list and then consider how else you can accomplish those tasks. It may be learning to do those things yourself, hiring someone, asking a friend or family member to help you, or simply deciding it's not something important for you anymore. This is partially to help with logistics but also to help settle into a new routine that considers your needs without this person.

Below are some ideas on how you can adjust to your new environment with time:

1. While we absolutely encourage returning to favorite pastimes and making space for social activities with people who make you feel supported, it's also okay to say no to things.That might be a no to social gatherings, birthdays, work events, etc. For some, this kind of activity can be an act of self-care, but for others, it's additional stress and emotional labor. Give yourself permission to say no when you need to.
2. We've mentioned before that the grief journey is different for every person -- finding the right support system is no different. Some find that 1:1 therapy is best while others prefer support groups, digital options, or leaning on personal networks of friends or family. Here are some recommendations for finding the right support for you:
   1. Find a therapist:‍
      1. Psychology Today
      2. Alma‍
      3. ZocDoc‍
      4. BetterHelp‍
   2. Explore digital options:‍
      1. Crisis Text Line: a free, 24/7 mental health crisis support line via text. Just text HELLO to 741741.‍
      2. Talkspace: access to licensed mental health professionals online. Note: this is not a free service.‍
      3. Grief Coach: grief support to your phone, personalized to your loss. Note: this is not a free service but, if you enter the code lantern you'll get $10 off the purchase price.
3. Take a break from grief - Grief is ever-present, especially in the early days. While it's important to feel, process, and explore those emotions, it's equally as important to try to take a break from them. This becomes increasingly easier as time passes. Partaking in rewarding activities like exercising, cooking, or gardening can provide a much-needed break.