Check/To-Do List

Below is a general list to follow in order to keep track of everything that needs to be organized after the death of a loved one.

  • Decide on the type of service.  

  • Secure property.

    • Home and car

  • Check Pricing.

    • Make an appointment to meet with a funeral director

    • Make funeral or memorial service arrangements

  • Decide on a time and place for the funeral and/or memorial service

  • Make a list of immediate family, close friends, and employer or business colleagues

    • Notify each by phone

  • If flowers are to be omitted, decide on an appropriate memorial to which gifts may be given (a church, library, school, or charity) 

  • Write an obituary

    • Normally, the mortuary does this, but you may wish to consult with them

    • Include age, place of birth, occupation, college degrees, membership(s) held, military service, outstanding work, list of survivors in the immediate family

    • Give time and place of services 

    • Send a copy to the deceased's hometown

  • Purchase a Guest Book

  • Notify insurance companies (including automobile insurance) of immediate cancellation and request any refund

  • Check carefully all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, military, etc.  

  • Check also on income for survivors from these sources

  • Arrange for family members or close friends to take turns answering the door or phone, keeping careful record of calls 

  • Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends

  • Arrange appropriate childcare 

  • Coordinate special needs of the household, e.g. cleaning, grocery shopping, etc., which might be done by friends 

  • Select who will conduct the service, give the eulogy, speakers, music, and reception, if any

  • Select pallbearers and notify them (avoid men with heart or back difficulties, or make them honorary pallbearers)

  • Notify the lawyer and Executor of the Will. Get several copies of the death certificate

  • Plan for the disposition of flowers after the funeral (can be given to a hospital or rest home)

  • Prepare a list of distant persons to be notified by letter and/or printed notice and decide which to send each

  • Prepare a list of persons to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc.

  • Send appropriate acknowledgments (can be either written notes or printed acknowledgments)

  • Check promptly on all debts and installment payments

    • Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before payments are due 

  • If the deceased was living alone, notify utilities and the landlord and tell the post office where to send mail. Take precautions against thieves