Funeral/Burial Information

Important Questions that Need to be Answered and/or Considered with Regard to Funeral/Burial Arrangements

When it comes to Estate Planing, family members should not stop at just the preparation of a Trust, Simple Will, Medical and Financial Power of Attorney. There are many other questions that need to be answered to make the final arrangements for your loved ones as simple as possible. Below is a very comprehensive list that has been provided to us compliments of Langeland Funeral Home that will help you and your family address issues involving funeral/burial or cremation arrangements. If you have more questions regarding this list, please feel free to call Langeland Family Funeral Home at 269-343-1508.

SECURE VITAL STATISTICS
Full legal name, address, phone number and email
Religious name
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Marital status
Name of spouse
Spouse’s maiden name
Education attainment
Citizenship
Father’s name
Father’s birthplace
Mother’s name and maiden name
Mother’s birthplace
Names of all children, grandchildren etc
Social Security Number
Veteran’s serial/service number
Date and place of service, date of discharge
Time at current residence
Occupation, job title, nature of work and employment history
Location of work place
Family origin
Estate/Inheritance taxes
Funeral expenses
Purchase of family burial estate/cremation niche
Opening and closing costs for the burial/cremation space
Memorialization/headstone
Organist and vocalist
Florist
Obituary
Clothing
Long distance telephone/wire service
Food
Transportation
Doctors
Nurses
Medical practitioner
Ambulance
Hospital/Nursing home
Medications and drugs
Current and urgent bills

COLLECT DOCUMENTS AND PAPER WORK
Family Will
Prepare legal papers, certificates and permits
Birth certificate
Citizenship papers
Marriage license
Veteran’s discharge certificate
Submit insurance policies
Disability claims
Bank books and listing of accounts
Other financial accounts
Property deeds
Cemetery deed or proof of ownership
Auto titles
Income tax returns, receipts and cancelled checks

DECIDE AND ARRANGE RIGHT AWAY
Make cemetery arrangements
Arrange for opening/closing of cemetery space
Funeral home preference
Location of funeral service
Service type (religious, military, fraternal etc)
Time and place of visitation and funeral service
Provide information for the eulogy
Select a casket
Select a vault/outer burial container
Select urn/niche
Provide information about deceased for newspaper
Clothing for deceased
Jewelry/glasses for deceased
Select cosmetology/hairstyle for deceased
Selection of scripture/readings
Clergy of officiate
Select the memorial contributions
Register books, memorial/prayer cards
Select pallbearers
Floral arrangements
Select music
Organist/pianist/vocalist
Arrange for Limousine for family/pallbearers
Arrange funeral car list for family/friends
Clothing for you and minor children
Decide who will look after minor children and pets
Extra chairs
Transportation for family guests
Reviewing and signing all paper work
Answering innumerable phone calls, emails and letters
Necessary meetings with the funeral director, clergy, lawyer and cemetery
Arranging transportation/lodging for out of town guests
Acknowledging those who help in a special way (contributions of food, flowers, donations etc)
Decide how many certified copies of death certificate to order
Items for memento display/memorial board
Decide on memorial video production, pictures, music etc
Arrange for writing thank you notes

PLAN TO NOTIFY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
All family members
Insurance agents
All friends
Minister and church
Funeral director
Pallbearers
Cemetery
Doctor
Employer of deceased
Employer of relatives not going to work
Organist, musicians and vocalists
Newspaper regarding notices
Social Security Administration
Veterans Administration


**This information has been provided courtesy of Langeland Family Funeral Home.**