Planning a funeral doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can feel overwhelming. Start here with our Complete Guide to Planning a Funeral. With step-by-step insights and actionable strategies for finalizing every detail, you’ll have the tools you need at your fingertips.
Because funerals often happen just days after death — within 24 hours in certain religions — the process is overwhelming. There’s a lot to do, countless considerations to weigh, and seemingly endless lists of people to notify. On top of that, family and loved ones are often grappling with their own grief and heavy emotions, which can impair decision-making and even paralyze the initial planning process.
But funeral planning can’t be put on the back burner. Immediately following your loved one’s passing, getting the wheels in motion is essential. Much of this is tied to other decisions you’ll make—the burial or cremation, for example—which will help inform your next steps. Likewise, though, much of funeral planning relies heavily on the deceased’s life, expressed preferences, and knowing what would be appropriate to help begin the healing process.
Still feeling overwhelmed? Take a breath and start here with our Guide to Planning a Funeral so you can spend less time planning and more time celebrating your loved one’s life.
Working with a Funeral Expert
The first thing you do when a loved one passes is to call the funeral home. Call us 24/7 at (765) 463-2383. Our funeral experts will answer your questions and arrange to pick up the body.
Our funeral directors will help you with your immediate needs and be your most critical go-to in funeral planning. They can guide you in everything from scheduling to planning the day to organizing key details like transportation and flowers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—no doubt he/she has heard and seen it all, and while your questions may seem trivial or even outlandish to you, they’ll be happy to answer them quickly and authoritatively.
A good first step? Ask for our free Personal Planning Organizer so you can keep tabs on everything you’ve done and everything that needs to be done, or make your own and include the following items:
Decide on the Basics
One key decision: burial or cremation? Each option comes with unique considerations — cremating your loved one’s remains may open the door for a memorial service at some point now or in the future (check out our free Cremation Guide here). At the same time, a burial minimally requires a cemetery service to occur within a few days. Choosing one or the other may also impact your immediate next steps, including everything from embalming and other preparations if there is to be a visitation to options for interment and more.
- Choose the location: If your loved one was religious or connected to an area church, synagogue, or house of worship, your clergy can be very helpful. Clergy is typically very understanding and very flexible when it comes to scheduling funeral services. It can help guide this process and inform you of other key details as they arise. There’s typically a suggested donation tied to funeral services in a house of worship — usually, a few hundred dollars is appropriate. If the person performing your loved one’s funeral doesn’t mention a recommended amount, consider $200 to $300, depending on your family’s relationship with the house of worship. If the deceased was particularly integrated into the community, he or she may have wanted you to give a more significant donation.
- Add personal touches: Will you have readings — and will those be religious texts or personal eulogies and remembrances? Will favorite flowers be brought in to adorn the casket and add color to the church or funeral home? Will your loved one be buried in a specific outfit she loved? Will photos be displayed? Will letters or other meaningful items line the casket? What about music? And, above all, are there any requests your loved one left or that you know he or she would have wanted? Many people opt for a very personal funeral and service. With that comes many decisions and choices. Remember, there’s no right or wrong here — it’s all about what your loved one would want. Consider tapping a close family friend or relative to assist with this piece. They’re likely to be happy to help and, equally importantly, will be able to free you up for other decision-making.
- A final note: If your loved one was connected to a specific charity or nonprofit, consider asking for donations instead of flowers. You may even consider requesting donations for the hospital or hospice where the deceased spent their final days or a charitable organization tied to a disease or illness that impacted them — think the American Cancer Society, American Heart Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s essential to make this determination upfront because mourners will begin sending flowers immediately. Publishing this information in their obituary and notifying friends and family of your wishes will help maximize donations. Tippecanoe Memory Gardens can guide you through these processes and more minor decisions — and articles in our blog can help walk you through some of the more significant considerations and next steps, including planning a burial and even writing an epitaph.
Cost Considerations
In 2024, the average U.S. funeral costs more than $7,000, which doesn’t even include the cemetery. Keeping costs reasonable is one of our founding principles, and we’ll help you find the best option for you and your family.
Amid the planning process, it’s easy for emotions to run high and cost considerations to fly out the window. This is, after all, the funeral for a beloved friend or relative. It’s vital to assess your options, weigh costs, and determine the best next steps for you and your family. Don’t make decisions because you feel pressured, think it’s “easier” for the funeral director, or don’t want to disappoint others. If you don’t see an option you like, ask to see alternatives. Don’t be afraid to share your concerns if a casket, vault, or cemetery plot is out of your price range.
You will probably only plan one or two funerals in your life — and that means, when the time comes, you’ll likely have countless questions, concerns, and considerations tied to every step of the process. Go with your instincts, review any final requests left by your loved one, and focus on planning a funeral that reflects and celebrates his or her life.
Take a breath and dive in — you’ve got limited time, and remember, there are no right or wrong decisions.
Plan online here.
By Jaime Hollander, Blog contributor