Funeral arrangement checklist for directors

A working checklist you can adapt to your home’s process. Use it during the conference, then fold the result into one shared summary. Dignity in every detail.

Not legal advice. Follow your state rules, FTC Funeral Rule obligations, and house policies.

Before the conference

• ☐ Identify legal authorizing person(s)
• ☐ Prepare price lists / required disclosures
• ☐ Note faith, cultural, language, or military context
• ☐ Assign note-capturer vs. conversation lead

Identity & service decisions

• ☐ Legal name, preferred name, DOB/DOD
• ☐ Service type and disposition path
• ☐ Date, time, venue(s)
• ☐ Visitation / gathering if separate
• ☐ Clergy / celebrant / readers / pallbearers

Logistics

• ☐ Parking & accessibility
• ☐ Livestream / recording ownership
• ☐ Reception & catering / dietary
• ☐ Guest estimate
• ☐ Music & readings
• ☐ Flowers vs. charity wording

Military & veterans

• ☐ Service status & branch
• ☐ Honors requested
• ☐ Documentation follow-up owner
• ☐ Flag presentation recipient

Deep dives: VA honors · Honor Guard

Family action items

• ☐ Clothing / personal items
• ☐ Photos / video for tribute
• ☐ Documents still needed
• ☐ Jewelry / keepsakes decisions

Notices & writing

• ☐ Obituary / notice plan and approver
• ☐ Charity line exact wording
• ☐ Service details match logistics

Close-out

• ☐ Restate decisions with the family
• ☐ List open items with staff owners
• ☐ Generate one arrangement summary
• ☐ Copy key fields into case software if used