Here are two lists that seem to cover all the basics:
1) Sorry, we don't remember where we first found the first list but there is something very similar here. If you are involving a funeral provider, he or she will be helpful but you can do it yourself, most of it well in advance. Of course, the main reason people find themselves spending too much money and not really getting what they want is because of the traumatic nature of trying to do everything at the last moment.
Funeral CHECKLIST
Recording Personal Information
1. Full legal name 2. Residence 3. Date of birth 4. Place of birth 5. Citizenship 6. Personal Health number 7. Social Insurance number 8. Length of time in province 9. Occupation 10. Business or industry 11. Marital status 12. Spouse's full name 13. Father's name 14. Father's birthplace 15. Mother's maiden name 16. Mother's birthplace 17. Next of kin / Executor's full name 18. Next of kin's address 19. Next of kin's relationship 20. Doctor's name & address |
Transportation
52. Ambulance transfer from place of death 53. Funeral coach 54. Clergy car 55. Family limousine 56. Pallbearer limousine 57. Flower car
Documents to Locate 58. Will 59. Deed to cemetery plot 60. Birth certificate 61. Marriage certificate 62. Citizenship papers 63. Insurance policies 64. Bank documents 65. Title to property 66. Vehicle ownership 67. Revenue Canada tax returns 68. Military discharge papers |
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Making Service Choices 21. Choose a funeral home 22. Set time & date of service 23. Choose location of service 24. Apply for burial permit 25. Apply for death certificates 26. Choose burial or cremation 27. Request preparation and embalming 28. Choose family viewing or visitation 29. Decide if jewellery is to remain or to be returned 30. Supply clothing for deceased 31. Select photographs to be displayed 32. Select musical selections, hymns & solos 33. Select scripture or literature to be read 34. Compose & submit obituary 35. Choose charity to direct donations to 36. Display religious or fraternal items 37. Arrange location & food for reception
Making Specific Selections 38. Select casket or Cremation Container 39. Select burial vault or cremation urn 40. Choose cemetery 41. Select burial or cremation plot 42. Decide whether above or below ground 43. Select memorial grave marker & inscription 44. Select memorial register 45. Select memorial folders & acknowledgement cards 46. Choose floral arrangement Participants 47. Clergy or officiant 48. Organist or other musical participants 49. Pallbearers 50. Family or friend to perform eulogy 51. Family or friend to read scripture or literature | People to Contact 69. Extended family & friends 70. Doctor (G.P. or Specialist) 71. Accountant 72. Lawyer 73. Employer 74. Insurance agent 75. Creditors 76. Financial Advisor / banker 77. Clubs, unions & organizations 78. Bereavement counsellor if needed 79. Canada Pension Plan / O.A.P. 80. Dept. of Veterans' Affairs 81. Canada Post - Change of Address
Pay for the Following Services 82. Funeral Service 83. Cemetery plot, perpetual care & interment fees 84. Grave Memorial, Inscription & Installation 85. Service participants 86. Newspapers 87. Provincial documents 88. Flowers 89. Food / Catering for reception 90. Hospitals 91. Ambulance Personal Data of Deceased 92. Elementary school attended 93. High school attended 94. University attended 95. Military record 96. Family & professional history 97. Offices or positions held 98. Accomplishments, personal & professional 99. Citations 100. Hobbies, activities and interests 101. Charities & other special requests |
2) Here's a good list of questions to you might want to ask. It is modified from a reader's comments at : http://www.ehow.com/tips_3455.html
Who do you want to do the planning? What about embalming? Cremation? Casket open or
closed? Who would you like to be pallbearers? Music? if so, what songs? Is there a living will? If not, what would you put in it? Is there anyone you would like to speak at your funeral? Anything you want said? What picture, if any, would you like to have in the paper? Anything you don't want done? What do you want to wear? What is your favorite flower? What is your favorite color? What color looks best on you? Anything you want with you when you are buried? Anything you don't want with you when you are buried? Where do you keep wills, insurance policies, safety deposit keys, etc.? What is your lawyer's name? Where do you want to be buried? What kind of service do you want? Who should perform the service? What funeral home would you like to be used? What kind of money is saved if any for your funeral? Would you like a notice in the newspaper in any other towns you've lived in? Who all do you want notified?
These are difficult questions to ask whether for yourself or someone you love. It's best to set aside a specific time, to make notes on the answers, and to keep the notes with your will, etc. You might want to review them occasionally to make changes, too.