Funeral Decisions and Preparations

Vital Statistics

1. Full name and complete address
2. How long at current/former residence(s)
3. Occupation, job title, nature of work, and history
4. Location of workplace
5. Social security number
6. Veteran's serial number
7. Date and place of service, date of discharge
8. Date of birth
9. Place of birth
10. Family origin
11. Father's name
12. Mother's maiden name
13. Educational attainment

Pay Some or All of the Following Bills

1. Estate/inheritance taxes
2. Funeral expenses
3. Cemetery plot and opening and closing costs
4. Monument and engraving charges
5. Clergy
6. Organist and vocalist
7. Florist
8. Obituary
9. Clothing/dry cleaning
10. Transportation
11. Doctors
12. Nurses
13. Medical practioners
14. Ambulance
15. Hospital/nursing home
16. Medications and drugs
17. Current and urgent bills (mortgage, rent, taxes, installment payments, etc.)

Paperwork and Documents to Collect

1. Will
2. Birth certificate
3. Social security card
4. Marriage license
5. Military discharge
6. Insurance policies (life, health, accident, property, auto)
7. Bank books
8. Stocks and bonds
9. Property deed
10. Cemetery deed
11. Auto titles
12. Tax returns, receipts, and cancelled checks

Decisions to Make within a Few Hours

1. Exact location of burial/disposition
2. Location of service
3. Casket
4. Outer burial container
5. Items for memento display
6. Clothing and jewelry for deceased
7. Service type (religious, fraternal, military)
8. Selection of scripture and readings (poems, etc.)
9. Clergy to officiate
10. Funeral director preference
11. Time for visitation and service
12. Register book, memorial/prayer cards
13. Casketbearers
14. Floral arrangements
15. Music selections
16. Transportation for family and guests, including funeral procession lineup
17. Reviewing and signing all paperwork
18. Answering innumerable phone calls, messages, and letters
19. Necessary meetings with funeral director, lawyer, clergy, cemetery, etc.
20. Arrange transportation and lodging for out of town guests
21. Acknowledging those who help in a special way (contribution of flowers, food, etc.)
22. Funeral service details and consideration

People to Notify as Soon as Possible

1. All relatives
2. All friends
3. Minister and church
4. The funeral home
5. Cemetery
6. Doctor
7. Employer of deceased
8. Employers of relatives
9. Casketbearers
10. Organist, other musicians and vocalists
11. Newspapers
12. Social Security Administration
13. Veterans Administration
14. Insurance agents
15. Religious, fraternal, and civic organizations and unions

Email from Hak Joo Choi