How to Organise a Funeral in the US

Planning a funeral is hard. There’s grief, stress and a long list of things to get done fast. This guide helps you understand what to expect and what steps to take.

Get a legal pronouncement of death

If the person dies in a hospital or nursing home, staff will take care of this. If not, you’ll need to contact a doctor or local coroner. This step legally confirms someone has died and is the first thing that needs to happen. Without this, you can’t start any funeral or legal processes. If the person dies at home, call emergency services or a hospice nurse.

Decide on a funeral home

Funeral homes handle transport, paperwork, and many of the details. You don’t have to choose the first one you find. Use our directory, find funeral homes near you, filter on your requirements and call a few and ask for price lists. Funeral homes must provide a General Price List if asked. Compare what’s included in their services. Some bundle everything. Others charge for each item.

Ask questions like:

Do they offer cremation or just burial?
Can you visit and see the facilities?
How soon can they arrange a service?
What’s the process for paperwork?

If the person made pre-arrangements, use the chosen provider. Otherwise, pick one that matches your needs and budget.

Arrange transportation

The body needs to be moved from the place of death to the funeral home or crematory. Most funeral homes include this in their packages. If not, you may need to arrange a private removal service. Later, you may also need transport to the service location and cemetery. Always check what’s included so you’re not surprised by extra fees.

Choose burial or cremation

This choice affects the rest of the arrangements. Burial usually involves a casket, a cemetery plot, and a grave marker. Cremation might involve a service with the urn or just a quiet collection of ashes. Some families keep the ashes, while others scatter them or bury them in a cemetery.

Think about:

Cost: cremation is generally less expensive
Religious or cultural preferences of the deceased
Cemetery availability and costs
Timeframe: cremation can usually be done more quickly

Some states have waiting periods or paperwork for cremation. The funeral director will guide you through it.

Plan the service

You can have a formal funeral, a casual memorial, or a simple graveside service. It can be religious or not. What matters is what fits your family and honours the person who died.

You’ll need to decide:

Where it will be: funeral home, place of worship, park, home, or other venue
Who will speak or lead: clergy, celebrant, family, or friends
What will happen: speeches, prayers, music, slideshows, readings
Whether the casket or urn is present

You can keep it small or invite many people. Services usually last 30–90 minutes. Some families also plan a meal or gathering afterwards. This is typically called a wake and can be done at home, at a restaurant or venue or simply in the park or outdoor space.

Write an obituary

An obituary is a public notice that someone has died. It also lets people know about the service.

Include:

Full name
Age and place of residence
Date and place of death
Brief life story
Survivors (family members)
Details of service (if public)
Donation requests or charity info

You can submit it to local newspapers or post it online. Keep it short and respectful. Most funeral homes will help you write one.

Notify people

Start with close family and friends. Then let wider circles know. This can feel hard, so ask others to help.

Ways to notify:

Phone calls
Group texts or messages
Social media post (if appropriate)
Email with service details
Printed announcements (for older relatives or distant friends)

Be clear if the service is private or if everyone is welcome, for both the service and the wake.

Get the death certificate

You’ll need this to deal with banks, insurance, pensions, Social Security, and other paperwork. The funeral home usually orders them for you.

Ask for multiple copies. You’ll need one for each legal or financial process. Some places accept photocopies. Many don’t. It’s better to have too many than not enough.

Look at the will or estate plan

Find out if the person left a will or instructions. This might include funeral wishes, burial location, or prepaid plans. The will also names the executor, the person who handles the estate.

Check:

If there’s a prepaid funeral contract
If burial plots are already bought
Who is responsible for decisions
Whether there are funds to pay expenses

Handle the costs

Funerals can cost a lot. The national average is around $7,000–$12,000 for a traditional funeral. Cremation is usually $2,000–$6,000. You can spend less or more, depending on choices.

Common costs:

Casket or urn
Embalming or preparation
Service fees
Venue and transport
Obituary and printed programs
Burial plot, vault, headstone

Paying:

Check if there’s funeral insurance or life insurance
Use estate funds if available
Ask the funeral home about payment plans
Some states or groups offer help for low-income families

Final steps

After the funeral, there’s more to do. The executor or family will need to:

Notify Social Security and Medicare
Inform banks, credit card companies, and insurers
Cancel subscriptions, memberships, and utilities
Forward or stop mail
Handle personal belongings and accounts
Contact a lawyer for probate or estate help

This can take months, depending on the estate. Keep all documents and make a checklist to stay organised.

Help and support

You don’t have to do this alone. Ask others to help make calls, write the obituary, or plan the service. Let people know what you need.

Many funeral homes offer guidance and take on most of the paperwork. If you’re struggling emotionally, grief support groups or therapists can help.

For checklists, templates, and funeral home directories, visit Funeralus.com.