Funeral 411TM
       the information you want and need

Main Navigation

 
 
 

Meeting with the funeral director

When you need to make funeral arrangements, the funeral director will set up a time that's convenient for you to come to the funeral home. If for any reason you're not able, ask him/her to come to your home. Your funeral director wants to do what's convenient and comfortable for you. (If you get the feeling during your time together that he/she doesn't, get a different one who does!)

Also, don't feel rushed to do this. When a death is unexpected, it's hard to make so many decisions so soon. Ask the funeral director if you can wait a day or so before you make decisions. You may feel like you need to know when the services will be so you can let people know, so don't hesitate to call the funeral director and ask some questions or do what you feel like doing, but don't feel like you have to rush to do everything.

These are the topics most commonly discussed:

  • any specific wishes or requests to make the services uniquely and appropriately meaningful
  • information for required legal documents
  • selection of a casket, urn (if cremation is chosen), and/or burial vault (See the page about Products for detailed information about these items.)
  • times of visiting hours and services
  • newspaper notices
  • involvement of family and/or friends in the services
  • any questions or suggestions you may have. 
       
Some people wish to have a lock of their loved one's hair; ask for it because most funeral directors will not think of it. Also there are a few companies around that make various items from a fingerprint, such as a pendant or keyring charm. Ask the funeral director to take a fingerprint just in case you decide you want one. It may be a month or two later when you decide you want one, so it'll be on file at the funeral home when you want it. You can see one of the companies that does on our page, Our personal favorites.
What you need to provide -

   Information about the deceased for the death certificate
        Date and place of birth
        Address of the deceased
        Parents’ names including mother’s maiden name             
        Level of education
        Veteran’s discharge papers, known as a DD214 (form #)
        Occupation and place of employment
        Spouse’s name (with maiden name for a wife)   
   Cemetery information
   Clothing for the deceased including undergarments (shoes are by personal preference)
   Photo
   Any wishes the deceased may have written down
   Any obituary information that may have been written ahead of time. (Some people write their own before they die!)
   Special information to include in obituary, clubs, organizations, hobbies, special interests, accomplishments
   Life insurance policy or company name, if proceeds are to be used for payment
Content copyright . Funeral411. All rights reserved.
Web Hosting Companies